284 INSECT ARCHITECTUKE. 



four inches broad, made by them, may be seen in 

 the woods. They go out light, but bring home 

 heavy loads on their backs, all of the same sub- 

 stance, and equal in size. I never observed any- 

 thing besides pieces of green leaves, so big that I 

 could scarcely see the insect for his burthen ; yet 

 they would march stoutly, and so many were pressing 

 forward that it was a very pretty sight, for the path 

 looked perfectly green with them." 



Ants observed in New South Wales, by the gentle- 

 men in the expedition under Captain Cook, are still 

 more interesting. " Some," we are told, " are as green 

 as a leaf, and live upon trees, where they build their 

 nests of various sizes, between that of a man's head 

 and his fist. These nests are of a very curious struc- 

 ture ; they are formed by bending down several of 

 the leaves, each of which is as broad as a man's 

 hand, and glueing the points of them together, so as 

 to form a purse. The viscous matter used for this 

 purpose is an animal juice which nature has enabled 

 them to elaborate. Their method of first bending 

 down the leaves we had no opportunity to observe ; 

 but we saw thousands uniting all their strength to 

 hold them in this position, while other busy multi- 

 tudes were employed within, in applying this gluten 

 that was to prevent their returning back. To satisfy 

 ourselves that the leaves were bent and held down 

 by the efforts of these diminutive artificers, we dis- 

 turbed them in their work ; and as soon as they were 

 driven from their stations, the leaves on which they 

 were er.iployed sprang up with a force much greater 

 than we could have thought them able to conquer by 

 any combination of their strength. But, though we 

 gratified our curiosity at their expense, the injury did 

 not go unrevenged ; for thousands immediately threw 

 themselves upon us, and gave us intolerable pain with 

 their stings, especially those which took possession 



