THE DRIVER ANT . 
279 
First, a single Ant clung tightly to a branch, and then a second 
insect crawled cautiously down its suspended body,, and hung to 
its long, outstretched limbs. Others followed in rapid succession, 
until they had formed a complete chain of Ants, which swung 
about in the wind. One of the largest workers then took its 
stand immediately below the chain, held firmly to the branch 
with its hind limbs, and dexterously caught with its fore-legs 
the end of the living chain as it swung past. The ladder was 
thus completed, and fixed ready for the transit of insects ; and, 
in a similar way, the whole tree was covered with festoons of 
Ants, until it was blackened with their sable bodies. 
They can even cross streams by means of these ladders. 
Crawling to the end of a bough which overhangs the water, they 
form themselves into a living chain, and add to its length until 
the lowermost reaches the water. The long, wide spread-limbs 
of the insect can sustain it upon the water, especially when 
aided by its hold on the suspended comrade above. 
Ant after Ant pushes forward, and the floating portion of the 
chain is thus lengthened, until the free end is swept by the 
stream against the opposite bank. The Ant which forms the 
extremity of the chain then clings to a stick, stone, or root, and 
grasps it so firmly, that the chain is held tightly, and the Ants 
can pass over their companions as over a suspension bridge. In 
the illustration a column of Driver Ants is shown on the march. 
The vanguard of the column has crossed the stream by means of 
the living ladder, which is seen suspended from a branch, and 
extended across the water. The fragile tube which they build 
is also shown, and a few of the larger architects are drawn of 
the natural size. The smaller specimens will not emerge from 
the tunnel. 
In Dr. Livingstone’s well-known work, there are several 
interesting accounts of ants and their habits, and one anecdote 
bears so aptly on the subject, that I give it in the writer’s own 
words. 
After describing the terrible drought at Chonuane, when the 
river Kolobay ran dry and the fish perished, when the crocodile 
himself was stranded and died, and the native trees could not 
