









glossy jet-black color, with a large head armed 
NEC TEE EM IBN NISL cec CERE IR 
THE DRIVERS. 361 
would furnish sufficient material for months of study for the 
enthusiastic naturalist. 
It is of one species only that I propose to venait; the Dri- 
vers (Anomma arcens of Westwood? Fig. 60); an insect 
whose life history is yet very imperfectly known, Fig. 60. 
but of whose habits the dweller in the tropical re- 
gions of West Africa cannot long remain ignorant. 
The Driver ants vary in size from three-quar- 
ters of an inch to one-third of an inch in length, 
the soldiers being the largest. They are of a 

with exceedingly sharp, branching forceps, or 
mandibles, with which they seize and cut up their prey. 
They do not appear to have any fixed habitations, as do the 
Termites, but excavate the earth from between the roots of 
trees, and in the cavity thus formed lay their eggs and rear 
their young, and from which they issue in ineredible num- 
bers (literally millions of millions) to go upon their raids. 
The night is chosen for their foraging expeditions. In 
the midst of social enjoyment the stirring announcement is 
made, “Here are the drivers!” and, instantly as by an elec- 
tric shock, all are on the alert to escape a personal attack. 
Lanterns and bamboo torches are lighted, and a search made 
about the house to learn the direction taken by the assail- 
ants; and if in their usual numbers the house is often left 
to them entirely for hours. And still more unwelcome at 
the hour of midnight is the bleating of sheep, and cackling 
of hens, in the audios! “All hands” are awaked from 
their slumbers, and the whole yard lighted; the animals are 
released from confinement and left to take care of them- 
selves; the fowls removéd to a place of safety, if one is to 
be found; but if neglected and left without the chance of 
escape their destrion 1 is sure. 
The Drivers are alike the enemy of man and beast, 
„though there are times when their visits are most welcome. E 
; . On their approach every kind of vermin is seized ko con- — 
| AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. III. 

