THE DRIVER ANT 
2 77 
order to show the extreme awe in which the natives hold the 
Driver Ants. 
So completely is the dread of them on every living creature, 
that on their approach whole villages are deserted, and in ex- 
treme cases the entire population is forced to take to the rivers, 
knowing that the insects will not enter water unless obliged to 
do so ; although on occasion they do not hesitate to commit 
themselves to the waves, as will presently be seen. 
The order of their marching is very curious, and is well 
described by Dr. Savage : — 
‘Their sallies are made in cloudy days, and in the night, 
chiefly in the latter. This is owing to the uncongenial influence 
of the sun, an exposure to the direct rays of which, especially 
when the power is increased by reflection, is almost instan- 
taneously fatal. If they should be detained abroad till late in 
the morning of a sunny day by the quantity of their prey, they 
will construct arches over their path, of dirt agglutinated by a 
fluid excreted from their mouth. If their way should run under 
thick grass, sticks, & c., affording sufficient shelter, the arch is 
dispensed with ; if not, so much dirt is added as is necessary to 
eke out the arch in connection with them. In the rainy season, 
or in a succession of cloudy days, the arch is seldom visible ; 
their path, however, is very distinct, presenting a beaten appear- 
ance, and freedom from everything moveable. 
4 They are evidently economists in time and labour; for 
if a crevice, fissure in the ground, passage under stones, &c., 
come in their way, they will adopt them as a substitute for the 
arch. 
4 In cloudy days, when on their predatory excursions, or mi- 
grating, an arch for the protection of the workers is constructed 
of the bodies of their largest class. Their widely-extended jaws, 
long slender limbs, and projecting antennae, intertwining, form a 
sort of net- work, that seems to answer well their object. When- 
I ever an alarm is given, the arch is .instantly broken, and the 
ants, joining others of the same class on the outside of the line, 
who seem to be acting as commanders, guides, and scouts, run 
about in a furious manner, in pursuit of the enemy. If the 
