(22 
THE ANT. 
The ants ncft is in faS a fmall well regulated common- 
wealth, refembling in many rcfpects that of the bees. 
Like them, they are continually employed in labour, and 
have a large proportion of the citizens neuters, whofe 
foie employment, like that of the working bees, is col- 
lecting food for the fociety. The males and females have 
wings, and feem deftined for higher enjoyments, as well 
as more noble occupations. Their operations are all 
conduced in peace, union, and good underftanding ; 
though, if we are to credit the wife man as a naturalift, 
they have no guide, overfeer, or ruler *. 
When they have chofen their ground for forming an 
eltablilhment, which is generally fome dry and funny ex- 
pofure, all are employed in digging their retreat, to the 
depth of about a foot or more : They feem to cake 
neither reft nor food till it is completed ; and to prevent 
diforder or confuljea, their police affigns to every one his 
talk. While one loofens the earth, another carries it 
away, and is met by others returning for a new load. 
Within this hollow cave, when formed, thefe infects 
all live in fociety, and llielter themfelves from the feveri- 
ty of winter. Even after the edifice is conftrufted, there 
is not a day allotted for reft, fo long as the weather will 
permit them to go abroad. They are continually wan- 
dering about in quell of food, and carry ail day each his 
burden into the neft. Should one chance to meet with a 
booty which is too large for him to remove, he is foon 
perceived by the reft, who come in legions to gnaw it 
into fmaller pieces, or to afiift in rolling along the un- 
wieldy 
* VMe Solomon, Prov, chap. vi. 9. Go to the ant thou fluggard, con- 
fider her ways, and be wife ; which having 110 guide, overfeer, or ruler, 
provideth her meat in the fummer, &c. 
