Brazilian Ants. 



523 



Magazine. Of these ants, I one day discovered a line, which led 

 across the yard in my dwelling; it emerged from two holes in the 

 ground, which were probably the outlet of subterraneous channels 

 leading to a neighbouring plain, and all ants from these holes, were 

 loaded with spoils, consisting of different kinds of insects. But 

 coming in the contrary direction, in the same line, were seen an 

 equal number of ants which resorted to the two before mentioned 

 holes. These last carried nothing. The principal part of the army 

 consisted of individuals, varying little in size, but here and there was 

 to be seen a few much larger, distinguished, as before mentioned, by 

 the disproportioned size of the head. These scarcely ever followed 

 the movements of the army, but marched at one time slowly in the 

 contrary direction, at another across the line ; or, when they followed 

 the same direction as the main body, did not keep pace with it, but 

 went quicker or slower, according to circumstances. I stood about a 

 couple of hours, and observed these animals manoeuvre, and all that 

 time I saw posted round the two holes I have mentioned, four of 

 these great individuals, who stood perpendicular on the four hind legs, 

 head raised, and their very large hooked jaws much extended. Round 

 the other hole, stood two of these, others in similar position. After the 

 lapse of two hours, when about to avail myself of a closer inspection of 

 what was going on, I commenced to trample down the straggling in- 

 dividuals which swarming along the side of the main army inter- 

 cepted my approach. But I did not remain long in possession of the 

 usurped territory, for no sooner did the nearest marauders observe 

 their comrades' bodies than great uneasiness manifested itself amongst 

 them, and some of them retreated in great haste to the nearest hole. 

 I immediately observed the four sentinels which stood round and 

 guarded the hole for two hours without interruption, hurry eagerly 

 to the place where their comrades were murdered; a swarm of the 

 common working ants followed their example, and in a moment the 

 whole place where I had trampled the ants to death, was covered 

 with their comrades, actively occupied in removing their bodies 

 which they transported to the hole. Amongst this crowd, I counted 

 ten of the large race ; these took no care of the dead, but ran about 

 with extraordinary quickness and expanded jaws. The place was 

 cleared in less than a quarter of an hour ; during this time the march 



