PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



57 



the acid as to retain the scent for many hours. A more for- 

 midable weapon arms the species of the genus Myrmica 

 Latr. ; for, besides the poison-bag, they are furnished with a 

 sting ; and their aspect is also often rendered peculiarly re- 

 volting by the extraordinary length of their jaws, and by the 

 spines which defend their head and trunk. 



But weapons without valour are of but little use ; and this 

 is one distinguishing feature of our pigmy race. Their 

 courage and pertinacity are unconquerable, and often sub- 

 limed into the most inconceivable rage and fury. It makes 

 no difference to them whether they attack a mite or an 

 elephant ; and man himself instils no terror into their warlike 

 breasts. Point your finger towards any individual of F. rufa, 

 instead of running away, it instantly faces about ; and, that it 

 may make the most of itself, stiffening its legs into a nearly 

 straight line, it gives its body the utmost elevation it is 

 capable of, and thus 



" Collecting all its might dilated stands " 



prepared to repel your attack. Put your finger a little 

 nearer, it immediately opens its jaws to bite you, and rearing 

 upon its hind legs bends its abdomen between them, to eja- 

 culate its venom into the wound. 1 



This angry people, so well armed and so courageous, we 

 may readily imagine, are not always at peace with their 

 neighbours : causes of dissension may arise to light the flame 

 of war between the inhabitants of nests not far distant from 

 each other. To these little bustling creatures a square foot 

 of earth is a territory worth contending for ; their droves of 

 Aphides equally valuable with the flocks and herds that 

 cover our plains ; and the body of a fly or a beetle, or a cargo 

 of straws and bits of stick, an acquisition as important as the 

 treasures of a Lima fleet to our seamen. Their wars are 

 usually between nests of different species ; sometimes, how- 

 ever, those of the same, when so near as to interfere with 

 and incommode each other, have their battles ; and with 

 respect to ants of one species, Myrmica rubra, combats oc- 



1 See Fourcroy, Annates du Museum, No. 5. 343. 



