WHITE AMTS. 
495 
numerous enemies, particularly various species of 
ants, which are hunting on every spray, on every 
leaf, and in every possible place, for this unhappy 
race ; of which probably not a p&ir in many mil- 
lions get into a place of safety, fulfil the first law of 
nature, and lay the foundation of a new commu- 
nity. Not only all kinds of ants, birds, and car- 
nivorous reptiles, as well as insects, are upon the 
hunt for them ; but the inhabitants of many coun- 
tries, and particularly of that part of Africa where 
I was, eat them. On the following morning, how- 
ever, as 1 have observed, they are to be seen run- 
ning upon the ground in chase of each other; some- 
times with one or two wings still hanging to their 
bodies, which are not only useless, but seem rather 
cumbersome. The greater part have no wings, but 
they run exceeding fast, the males after the females; 
I have sometimes remarked two males after one fe- 
male, contending with great eagerness who should 
win the prize, regardless of the innumerable dangers 
that surrounded them. 
“ They are now become from one of the most 
active, industrious, and rapacious, one of the most 
fierce and implacable little animals in the world, 
the most innocent, helpless, and cowardly; never 
making the least resistance to the smallest ant. 
The ants are to be seen on every side in infinite 
numbers, of various species and sizes, dragging 
these annual victims of the laws of nature to their 
different nests. It is wonderful that a pair should 
ever escape so many dangers, and get into a place 
