192 
A NATURALIST ON THE PROWL. 
waist, and reaching the second leaf with its hind feet, began 
to pull. Further on still the chain consisted of three ants, 
or four, or five. As their united strength drew the edges 
of the leaves slowly together, others were busy securing 
them with strong cords of silk, which they tightened as 
the work progressed, till the leaves were firmly joined, 
edge to edge, 
and formed the 
walls of the cen- 
tral chamber. 
I have often 
watched the 
operation since. 
Leaf follows leaf 
in the same 
house building. manner, gauze 
cu rtains are 
spun across all open spaces, and partitions of white silk 
divide the chambers and passages, making a noble man- 
sion, or say rather a populous city, the capital of a great 
and terrible people. Smaller towns arise on the branches 
round about, and stables, or pens, are built for the 
accommodation of the State cattle, which consist chiefly 
