.244 
NATURAn iriSTORY. 
A grain of wheat muft be confiderecl in pro- 
portion to tlicir fize and llrength. They 
have tlie j-recantion to make a bank near fix 
inciies liigh, above the entrance ; and to 
make feveral roads, to go out and in, by 
what may be called their terrace-walk. From 
May or June, they work until the feafon’s 
change di!continues their indullry. This la- 
bour is entirely for the prefervation of their 
iirootl, which is produced during the fine 
W'eather. When they attack fruit, they tear 
it into fmall bits, and thus is each ant ena- 
bled to carry home his provender. Liquors 
which arc fwcer, they have a mode of having 
and carrying fome for their young. They fend 
their foragers to feck for food: if one of 
them proves fucecfsful in finding fome, he re- 
turns to inform the republic, and immediately 
I'aliics from the town, to capture the prize. 
To prevent any delay, obdrudion, or con- 
fufion, they have two tracks ; one for the 
jiarty loaded, and the other for that which 
tire going to load themfelvcs. Should any 
lie killed, fome of them inflantly remove 
the ilain, to a diflance. When provifions 
are fcarce, they portion them according to 
their prefent a^d future wants. 
A ncll: of ants i.s a fiixall well-regulated re- 
public, united by peace, unanimity, good 
underdanding, and mutual adidance. Great 
police in their little labour?, prevents among 
them thofe diforders which frequently em- 
barrafs and perplex the happinefs of even 
man, 
