THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
307 
rotten trunks and stumps, and are observed in perpetual 
motion, running up and down the trees. They are 
perfectly harmless, and though they bite occasionally like 
those of our own country, yet their bite is attended with 
very little uneasiness. 
There is a very small species of ant which is found in 
dwelling houses, where it is of very great use in destroying 
the larger ant, the white ant, and the cock-roach. They 
speedily devour every thing which is exposed to their ra- 
vages ; and if one at table accidentally drops a bit of bread, 
meat, or any sort of food, it instantly appears in motion 
and animated, from a vast number of these creatures fasten- 
ing upon it, to carry it off. It is impossible by any con- 
trivance to prevent them from invading the table, and set- 
tling in swarms on the bread, sugar, and such things as are 
particularly agreeable to their palate. It is not uncommon 
to see a cup of tea, upon being filled out, completely co- 
vered with these creatures, floating dead upon it like a 
scum. 
But the most mischievous species of these vermin is the 
white ant, which is equally destructive in the fields and the 
dwelling-houses. They build their nests of a very fine clay, 
which they throw up in large mounds, and carefully pre- 
pare for the purpose. It is made into such an excellent 
cement, that as soon as it is dried up by the rays of the 
sun, it becomes so hard that it requires great exertion even 
with a pick-axe to level the heaps. These ant-hills are 
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