THE AMPHISB.ENA ECITOXS. f.49 



powder along their line to blow them up. Not, however, till 

 he had repeated this operation several times, did the survivors 

 of the daring depredators retreat. 



THE AMPHISB/EXA. 



A curious snake, with something the character of the 

 English slow-worm, the amphisbsena — called by the natives 

 Mai das Saiibas, or the mother of the saubas — is frequently 

 found in these mounds. The natives believe that the ants 

 treat it with great affection, and will, if the snake is removed, 

 leave the spot. It is probable, however, that the amphisba?na 

 takes up its abode in the nest for the convenience of de- 

 vouring the inhabitants, whenever unable to procure other 

 food. 



Some of the American ants are of great size. One species 

 (the Dinoponera grandis) is an inch and a quarter in length, 

 and proportionally stout. It is seen marching in single file 

 through the forest ; but though of considerable size, its sting 

 is not severe, while there is nothing particularly interesting 

 about its habits. 



ECITOXS. 



There are, however, several species of foraging ants, called 

 ecitons, which move in vast bodies through the forest in 

 search of prey. They are carnivorous, and attack not only 

 insects and grubs of all sorts, but even other ants, — assaulting 

 their citadels and carrying off the slaughtered inhabitants. 

 The natives, when they meet them in the forest, hurry out 

 of their way, to avoid their fierce attacks. Their communi- 

 ties appear to be composed, besides males and females, of two 

 classes of workers, one with head and jaws very much larger 

 than the others. 



35 ii 



