358 
AI^IMALS OF EGA. 
Chap. Y. 
The eiTand of the vast ant-armies is plunder, as in 
the case of Eciton legionis ; but from their moving 
always amongst dense thickets, their proceedings are 
not so easy to observe as in that species. Wherever 
they move, the whole animal world is set in commo- 
tion, and every creature tries to get out of their way. 
But it is especially the various tribes of wingless insects 
that have cause for fear, such as heavy-bodied spiders, 
ants of other species, maggots, caterpillars, larvae of , 
cockroaches and so forth, all of which live under 
fallen leaves, or in decaying wood. The Ecitons do not 
mount very high on trees, and therefore the nestlings 
of birds are not much incommoded by them. The mode 
of operation of these armies, which I ascertained only 
after long-continued observation, is as follows. The 
main column, from four to six deep, moves forward in 
a given direction, clearing the ground of all animal 
matter dead or alive, and throwing off here and there, 
a thinner column to forage for a short time on the 
flanks of the main army, and re-enter it again after 
their task is accomplished. If some very rich place be 
encountered anywhere near the line of march, for 
example, a mass of rotten wood abounding in insect 
larvae, a delay takes place, and a very strong force of ants 
is concentrated upon it. The excited creatures search . 
every cranny and tear in pieces all the large grubs they 
drag to light. It is curious to see them attack wasps' 
nests, which are sometimes built on low shrubs. They 
gnaw away the papery covering to get at the larvae, 
pupae, and newly-hatched wasps, and cut everything to 
tatters, regardless of the infuriated owners which are 
