598 



THE TROPICAL WORLD. 



They were not nearly so voracious as many other kinds, but their numbers and 

 ubiquity rendered it necessary to be constantly on guard against them." 



In countless multitudes the Ranger ants break forth from the primeval forest, 

 marching through the country in compact order, like a well-drilled army. Every 

 creature they meet in their way falls a victim to their dreadful onslaught. On the 

 west coast of Africa is found a formidable species of the Ranger ant, there named the 

 Bashikouay, of which Paul du Chaillu* furnishes a description, which we give, some- 

 what abridged : 



*' But more potent than snakes, lions, leopards, or gorillas, is a species of ant called 

 the Bashikouay. It is the dread not only of man, but of every living thing from the 

 elephant down to the smallest insect. A half inch is about the average length of 

 one of these ants, though some are found of twice that length. Individually they are 

 bold ; the bull-dog has not more pluck and tenacity of grip. But their great power lies 

 in the immense armies into which they organize themselves, and the military order 

 which they preserve." When on the march, they often go in a column two inches 

 broad and miles in length. Du Chaillu once saw such a column formed in close 

 order, which occupied twelve hours, from sunrise to sunset, in passing the spot from 

 which he watched them ; and as they marched by night as well as by day, he did not 

 know how long the column had been passing before he saw it. All along the line 

 were larger ants, evidently officers, standing outside the column until their squads had 

 passed, when they moved on and joined them. How many millions upon millions 

 there were in this army he did not venture to estimate. When on the march such a 

 column comes to a small stream, they fling across it a living bridge. Choosing a place 

 where the branch of a tree reaches nearly from one bank to the other, only somewhat 

 lower down, the second of the pontoneers, as we may fairly call them, with his fore- 

 claws grasps the hind-claws of the one in front, and lowers him over. A third does 

 the same by the second ; and so on until the line is long enough to reach the desired 

 point. Line after line is thus formed until a suspension bridge is constructed wide 

 enough for the whole army to pass over. Imagine the strength of muscle which these 

 creatures must possess to enable them to maintain their hold for hours. 



The marching column throws itself into line of battle with wonderful precision. 

 When it sweeps over a country nothing can stay its progress. Du Chaillu was once 

 plodding through the forest in search of game. Suddenly he was startled by a strange 

 sound. It was caused by a rush of wild beasts. He thought he caught a glimpse 

 of a gorilla ; he was sure that he heard the heavy tread of elephants ; and this was 

 followed by a heavy crash as though a herd of these great creatures were rushing 

 through the forest. Soon the air grew thick with insects. While wondering what 

 this might mean, he felt the torments of innumerable bites, and in an instant he was 

 almost covered by ants. He had encountered the skirmishers of a Bashikouay 

 army. He set off at his utmost speed in the direction which the other fugitives 

 had taken. Luckily his speed was greater than that of the ants, and as soon as he 

 thought himself safe he stripped off his clothing. It fairly swarmed with ants who had 

 buried themselves in the garments, striking their pincers clear through into the flesh 

 beneath. They never let go their grip until they have taken out the flesh. Pull at 

 one till his body is separated from the head, and the jaws still keep their hold. He 

 * Wild Life under the Equator. 



