MASON-ANTS. 2C5 



its particles, appeared even to increase it. Thus, 

 instead of injuring the building, it even contributed 

 to render it still more secure. 



"These particles of moistened earth, which are 

 only held together by juxtaposition, require a fall of 

 rain to cement them more closely, and thus varnish 

 over, as it were, those places where the walls and 

 galleries remain uncovered. All inequalities in the 

 masonry then disappear. The upper part of these 

 stories, formed of several pieces brought together, 

 presents but one single layer of compact earth. They 

 require for their complete consolidation nothing but 

 the heat of the sun. It sometimes, however, happens 

 that a violent rain will destroy the apartments, 

 especially should they be but slightly arched ; but 

 under these circumstances the ants reconstruct them 

 with wonderful patience. 



" These different labours were carried on at the 

 same time, and were so closely followed up in the 

 different quarters, that the ant-hill received an addi- 

 tion story in the course of seven or eight hours. 

 All the vaulted ceilings being formed upon a regular 

 plan, and at equal distances from one wall to the 

 other, constituted, when finished, but one single 

 roof. Scarcely had the ants finished one story than 

 they began to construct another ; but they had not 

 time to finish it — the rain ceasing before the ceiling 

 was fully completed. They still, however, continued 

 their work for a few hours, taking advantage of the 

 humidity of the earth; but a keen north wind soon 

 sprung up, and hastily dried the collected fragments, 

 which, no longer possessing the same adherence, 

 readily fell into powder. The ants, finding their 

 efforts ineffectual, were at length discouraged, and 

 abandoned their employment ; but what was my 

 astonishment when I saw them destroy all the apart- 

 ments that were yet uncovered, scattering here and 



