April, 1892. natural history jottings in natal 
83 
rushed past we continue in our position until the rising 
tide compels us to quit it, and from a point on shore 
notice with amazement that the tide has risen nearly twenty 
feet in half-an-hour. It did not, however, ascend to so high 
a level as the previous night’s tide. Passing the pleasant 
mansion of the popular magnate of the district, we were 
so fortunate as to meet one of the Harbour Commissioners, 
who courteously described the tidal phenomena of the lower 
portion of the estuary. But, as we turn inland, we are 
convinced that an understanding of the unique magnificence 
of the Severn bore is still imperfect. A pleasant natural 
history ramble with my friend and his two sons along the 
lanes of the Severn Valley completed an interesting and enjoy¬ 
able excursion. 
NATUBAL HISTORY JOTTINGS IN NATAL. 
BY ARTHUR HUNT. 
(Concluded from page 40.) 
A far more formidable nest to disturb is that of the 
“ cock-tail ” ants. These ants, which have earned their 
name from their habit of running about with their abdomens 
elevated like a “ Devil’s coach-horse,” build large round 
nests in the branches of trees, and they are numerous enough 
to kill anyone whom they may attack. 
Ants are like Scotchmen, to be found everywhere, and no 
matter where you may look you will find them in myriads. 
When I first came here I lost many of my specimens through 
not keeping my boxes well closed, and even now the ants are 
excavating through the cement floor of my room, beneath my 
cabinet; and, although I have repeatedly filled up their hole 
with cement, they work a way through again. Kill a cock¬ 
roach or any other insect, place it down, and in a very short 
time ants will be swarming on it, carrying away legs and 
wings with a strength that, in comparison to their size, must 
be stupendous. 
Some chrysalids that I was keeping in a box were not 
touched, but no sooner had one of the butterflies emerged 
than these little scavengers seized and killed it, and carried 
it away piecemeal before its wings had time to expand. I 
have even had them pin a caterpillar to the ground and eat it 
alive. 
Cannibalism seems very common among insects, and I 
had a fine opportunity of watching a would-be case some 
