218 
MOORE’S  RURAL  NEW-YORKER. 
SEPT.  3©  li 
Jflorknltiiral, 
BEDDING  PLANTS  IN  CENTENNIAL 
GKOUNDS. 
Ckktbnnial  Gkocxds,  Sept.  10. 
Orn  friends  wlm  Imvo  yet  delayed  Tisiling  the 
Coiitenjiial  and  wlm  oomit  upon  the  outside  floral 
display  as  an  attraotivo  foaturo,  should  delay  not 
one  day  longer.  Now  evorything  is  at  its  best ; 
by  which  wo  mean  that.  In  most  rosj^ects  the  floral 
display  is  so  close  ujwn  peii  foct  that  only  words 
of  jtraiso  arise  as  we  look  over  the  gorgeous 
scone.  A  few  inimites  ago,  a  young  lady,  who 
Bocniod  HO  delighted  over  all  she  saw,  tiiat  every 
attempt  at  expressing  her  appreciation  ended  in 
joyful  oxclamations  at  the  end  of  half-finished 
Beut«.-nccH — concluded  thus;  “Well  I  shall  bo 
more  crazy  to  visit  these  grounds  now  Uiat  1 
have  seen  them,  than  I  was  before  I  came  here  ” 
— and  a  tnicr  coniplimont  we  do  iiot  bcliovo  the 
floricultural  miinngcmont  have  received. 
A  frosty  night  may  now  bo  looked  for  at  any 
time  and  then  ikUcu  to  the  floral  <Usj)lay  whicli 
for  tasteful  arrangeinent,  extent  and  brilliancy 
of  color  we  have  never  seen  etiualed. 
In  front  of  Horticultiu'al  Hall  and  extending 
westward,  is  a  basin  the  flat  bottom  of  which  is 
several  feet  deep,  extending  in  the  form  of  a 
nan’ow  parallelogram  pcrliaps  1000  foot  or  more 
in  length  by  40  in  width.  We  look  down  npoji 
this  aa  upon  a  enrpet,  the  ground-work  of  wliich 
is  the  greeu  grass,  while  the  huge  figures  t  hereof 
are  the  llowers  and  foliagtid  plants  which  thickly 
cover  the  soil  in  w  hich  Oioy  grow.  In  c-arpet 
designs,  half  the  effect  Js  lost  unless  the  whole 
may  bo  talcen  In  at  a  glance  ;  and  this  is  secured 
by  th.o  banks  which,  as  has  been  stated,  are 
elevated  several  feet  above  the  floor  of  the  basin. 
Th<!  species  of  iflants  employed  for  this  style  of 
gardening  in  this  climate  are  necessarily  few. 
One  iij  not,  indeed,  tempted  to  examine  individ¬ 
uals  any  more  than  he  would  ho  the  flowers  or 
leaves  or  scrolls  of  a  veritable  carpet.  The'  im¬ 
mense  llgnres  set  in  the  grocueet  of  grass  and  a 
perfect  Mazo  of  strongly  contrasting  colors  are 
what  hold  the  eye.  DisapjKjintment  follows  a 
close  ins]>ecf.ion  of  the  plants  used  to  produce 
this  effect,  as  close  scrutiny  of  a  painting  would 
set  ns  to  wondering  how  so  artistic  a  landscape 
conld  bo  composed  of  parts  so  rude  in  tbom- 
sclvos. 
The  Golden  Pi/n  thnim  for  ita  light-green  and 
compact,  spreading  habit,  is  employed  to  a  great 
extent.  AlkTiio.jith^vofi,  ri>rm'olor,  amoima, 
Hpi'ctaldk,  and  Intifolia  arc  invaluable  for  their 
variegated  foliage,  low-growth  and  easy  propa¬ 
gation  and  cultivation.  Of  course  the  Cokw  in 
its  \\ide  range  of  varieties  is  Iho  main  plant  for 
those  portions  nearer  the  centers  of  figures  w'heie 
a  tailor  growth  is  requisite  to  assist  in  foming 
the  Oval  outlines,  which  give  a  depth  of  verdure 
and  a  rounded,  solid  apjrcaranco  rolicxing  the 
whole  from  the  insipidity  of  utter  flatness. 
Cetdmtroa  maritima,  fjyinnwarpa  and  catuliila — 
Cold  IWurluill’ctH,  Jkiunn,  Ilnuhr.'fOni — Achy- 
rautlu  s  LUidmi  and  CiUoni  form  the  majority 
of  the  plants  in  this  basin.  The  number  neces¬ 
sary  to  form  one  of  these  figures  will  surpriso 
those  Avho  have  not  thought  of  it.  Wo  roughly 
estimated  not  less  than  1500  iu  one  figure  about 
25  feet  iu  diameter. 
One  round  plot  20  feet  diameter  is  filled  with 
Viiu'Ofi  rosra  and  alba,  but  it  is  not  effective,  the 
flowers  being  too  scattered  and  the  foliage  not 
very  ornamentaL 
On  one  side  of  this  basin  as  we  call  it  for  the 
lack  of  a  better  name,  are  what  might  be  con¬ 
sidered  two  ornamental  hedges.  They  are  fonr 
or  five  feet  wide  and  r>0  feet  long  and  consist,  on 
tlio  miter  edges,  of  ryrclht'um,  next  dark  Colei, 
and  in  the  middle  and  highest,  of  fialvia.  Every 
10  feet  is  a  plant  of  variegated  Japanese  Maize. 
The  plant  display  of  the  I'aciflc  Guano  Co. 
comprises  a  great  number  and  wriety,  forming 
one  of  the  most  attractive  resorM  of  the  detxjro- 
tive  groimds.  The  Cotton  plants 
many  in  bloom,  some  iu  fruit,  are  intorosling  to 
all  who  have  never  traveled  in  countries  where 
they  grow .  They  arc  j  n  fact  well-worthy  of  being 
cultivated  in  any  garden.  The  flower  is  3  or  4 
inches  in  diameter,  of  a  lemon-yellow  color  and 
dark  eyo.  The  leaf  is  of  a  dark  green  color  and 
smootli  texture  resemhling  the  Maple  or  Hibis¬ 
cus  iu  form,  to  which  latter  siiecies  it  is  closely 
placed  in  the  Mallow  family.  In  this  collection 
are  Jiielni  12  feet  high,  the  tallest  we  have  ever 
seen  in  the  North  so  early  in  the  fall.  Had  a 
few  more  ornamental  species  been  raised — such 
as  Gibsont  and  snnynvmis— under  the  same  cul- 
tiu'C  they  would  have  boon  striking  for  their 
foliage  as  w'ell  a*  for  height.  All  of  these  plants 
have  been  watered  with  Guano  water,  the  effect 
of  which  is  thus  designed  to  be  shown. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  deficiencies  of 
the  bedding  flowers  in  the  early  part  of  the  sea¬ 
son  and  through  the  scorching  summer  which 
was  enough  to  try  plants’  souls,  few  there  are 
hypercritical  enough  to  say  aught  against  them 
now. 
Those  who  love  Tries  will  be  pleased  and  in- 
stnicUid  by  a  survey  of  a  bed  by  Messrs.  JIoorKs, 
Bros.  &  Thomas  devoted  to  them  alone.  There 
arc  30  x-arictios,  half  of  them  variegated  and 
several,  as  H.  nrborescens  I{f>egnerimia  as  differ¬ 
ent  in  appearance  as  vinos  of  the  same  species 
well  can  be. 
In  tljc  Japanese  department,  trained  up  lat¬ 
tices,  are  several  vines  with  pinnate  tlirce-folic- 
lato  leaves, the  leaflets  lobed  quite  like  a  Sassafras. 
Its  stems  are  hispid,  long-jointod  and  irregular. 
Hut  the  whole  vine  is  ]irettj’  and,  if  hardy,  desir¬ 
able,  since  its  loaf  and  habit  differ  from  those  of 
other  hardy  vinos.  Its  natne  is  I'lterajua  Thnn- 
ItCrgiaun  under  the  order  Logntninosae.  Jlore 
also  are  variegated  Morning  Glories  twining  up 
strings  not  worth  further  remark. 
In  one  of  the  deciduous  plots  wo  boo  one  or 
two  specimens  of  tS'a^nbuetis  raixutosa,  variega¬ 
ted  emphatically  with  yellowish  white.  It  is  a 
decumbent,  spreading  slirnb,  prettier,  wo  think, 
than  the  common  variegated  Elder.  Wo  note 
also  a  dozen  of  the  dwarf  Calalpa,  a  round,  vig¬ 
orous,  bean-like  bush  that  must  sooner  or  later 
become  more  popular  than  it  is — at  least  for 
special  purposos. 
There  ore  about  50  of  the  now  famed  Jlydran- 
gea  panieuMa  alba  in  full  bloom,  which,  though 
the  thyrRcs  are  not  Over  half  the  size  of  iiioic 
favorable  seasons,  ore  yet  oxcoodingly  showy. 
Wo  must  not  forgot  to  mention  that  tliei  e  is 
hero  a  single  specimen  of  Liguslrwni.  jH^tduUi, 
the  Wcejiing  Privet,  tho  first  wo  have  e\er  seen 
outside  of  the  Rural  ground.^. 
—  -  s  ■ 
MISCELLANEA. 
AniTN'DO  do7mx  is  now  (8opt.  7)  ton  feet  high 
in  spite  of  the  drought.  This  is  a  reotl  that 
seems  not  to  know  wlueh  it  likes  better,  moisture 
or  dryness. 
j!i}'ianthus  Iinvennae  sends  uj)  its  fine  plumes 
to  about  the  same  liight.  They  are  noble  iflants, 
both— and  associated  irith  Borronin  Japonica 
forma  rare  group.  Eulalia  Japonirn,  the  new 
variegated  grass,  may  well  be  added  though  less 
hardy  than  the  others.  It  will,  however,  stand 
ordinary  winters. 
. - - — - - - 
NOTES. 
In  a  note  by  M.  up.  8ai'Obt.i  communicated  to 
a  French  society  respecting  the  lowest  tempera¬ 
ture  that  can  bo  borne  by  certain  plants,  Ewa- 
lypiiis  globulus  suffered  only  in  w.mio  of  its 
snuiller  brauelies  when  tho  thermometer  sank  to 
25''  Falir.  Tho  Lemon  was  killed  iie.arly  to  tho 
ground;  Ih'arnena  iudhnsa,  Cbu^'t-roj^s  w- 
oclsa,  Cocos  Auslrnlis  were  uubarinod.  Cha- 
maerops  ext'dso  withstood  C'  Eabr. 
EVERGREENS. 
Centennial  Gkounos,  Sept.  1.5. 
Those  who  have  a  general  impression  that  Ev¬ 
ergreens  are  hard  to  transplant  and  about  as 
likely  to  die  as  live,  may  learn  how  erroneous  it 
is  by  gkanclng  mer  the  hundreds— yes,  thou¬ 
sands — of  trees  and  shrubs  that  have  been  re¬ 
moved  to  these  gionuds  and  are  now,  with  so 
few  exceptions  as  not  to  bo  worth  mentioning, 
after  passing  through  one  of  the  hottest  and  dr}-- 
ost  of  summers,  as  healthy  as  if  they  had  grown 
in  their  present  positions  from  cuttings  or  seeds. 
In  our  ow  u  experience  wo  may  say  that  a  smaller 
percentage  of  Jivergreons  die  from  bc-iug  trans¬ 
planted  than  of  deciduous  trees.  If  in  tho  nm'se- 
riee  they  have  been  transplanted  as  often  as 
need  be,  or  the  roots  out  around,  which  is  the 
next  best  thing,  and  they  are  packed  so  as  to 
reach  their  destination  with  tho  roots  still  moist 
—unless  they  are  then  recklessly  exposed— we 
need  not  anticipate  a  single  failure.  The  great 
numbei’  and  variety  of  Evergreen  plants  exhib¬ 
ited  afford  a  rare  opportunity  of  selecting,  by 
comparison,  tlioso  which  aro  most  unlilie ;  tiioso 
which  are  most  pleasing  of  their  kinds  and  tlioso 
which  are  host  adapted,  as  rogaids  form,  sizo 
and  color,  to  the  grounds  we  desire  to  beautify. 
Tho  small  size  to  which  nurserymen’s  cata¬ 
logues  are  necessarily  confined  and  the  extent  of 
country,  with  varying  soil  and  climate,  over 
w  hich  they  arc  disliibuted,  forbid  minuteness  of 
detail— and,  indeed,  no  minuteness  of  description, 
however  accurate,  can  place  before  our  eyes  a 
plant  as  wo  may  see  it  iu  tho  Coiitenuial  gromid.”. 
A  visit  to  nurseries  does  not  as  well  answer  our 
purpose,  since  there  are  few,  if  any,  wiiich  offer 
BO  many  species  and  varieties  as  we  have  here  col¬ 
lected  together.  Besides  iu  nuTBcrj'  gi'ounds.  as 
a  rule,  considerable  spaces  are  devoted  to  one 
species,  the  larger,  as  tho  plant  is  well  known 
and  universally  popular.  We  have  then,  to  walk 
fi'om  plantation  to  plantation,  forgetting  pre¬ 
vious  impressions  as  we  receive  now  ones  and, 
finally,  half  fatigued  and  impatient,  make  our 
selections  with  little  of  judgment  a  nd  with  much 
of  haste,  generally  to  repent  in  the  leism'e  of 
several  years  afterwards.  In  nursery  grounds, 
too,  we  do  not  foci  at  liberty  t<>  ask  of  onr 
attendant  the  many  questions  we  desire  to  have 
answered — ijnesllons  which,  to  them,  are  pain¬ 
fully  threadbare— and  if  wo  do,  they  are  usually 
answered  witli  that  ready-made  jtraise  pardona¬ 
ble,  perhaps,  in  tlioso  whose  time  is  money  and 
whoso  object  is  to  sell  all  they  possibly  can. 
Now  tho  specimejis  in  the  Centennial  are  all 
plainly  and,  for  the  most  part,  accurately  labeled. 
One  has,  therefore,  only  to  look  them  over  loi- 
siu'oly ;  to  note  those  which  impress  liim  most 
favorably ;  to  write  down  their  names  and  to  in¬ 
form  himself,  upon  returning  homo,  by  then  vis¬ 
iting  nurserioH — by  the  use  of  catalogues  or  tho 
several  books  upon  Evergreens,  as  to  their  hard¬ 
iness  ajid  general  adapt.ability  to  his  own 
gi'ounds. 
Of  Evergreens,  Hoopus,  Bno.  and  Thomas 
make  one  of  tho  most  creditable  and  attractive 
displays,  consisting  of  perhaps  200  different 
kinds.  All  arc  vigorous  and  healthy,  and  a  cir¬ 
cular  nlot  is  filled  with  specimens  which,  though 
of  medium  size,  scarcely  show  a  withered  branch 
or  leaf. 
Biola.  orUidalia  Zucenriniana,  the  dwarf  Ja- 
imn  Arbor-vita%  wo  note  as  a  neat,  foatnery, 
coral-like  sj^coimon  of  a  bright  green  color.  Ite- 
iinosporn  obtusa  cornpactn  is  one  of  tho  prettiest 
of  tho  cnrly-leaved  (aa  wo  may  call  them)  sorts, 
differing  from  the  siKJcies  in  being  inoro  com  pact 
and  iu  possessing  smaller  loaves.  This  is  called 
tho  Eu-si-no-ki  (tree  of  the  sun)  by  the  Japanese 
and  is,  says  Gordon,  the  glory  of  Eastern  for¬ 
ests. 
Junipervs  Virgmiaua  pvudula  ^\ill,  under  this 
name,  or  by  its  ajipcarance,  scarcely  ho  recog¬ 
nized  by  tliose  who  do  not  bother  with  botanical 
terms,  as  a  variety  of  our  Red  Cedar  that  llonr- 
ishos  along  every  hedge  and  worn-out  field.  J.  F. 
aurra  vnriegain,  a  mither  variety  of  the  Red  Ce¬ 
dar  is  variegated  with  a  bright  golden  color  to 
the  extent  of  lialf,  and  is  a  real  beauty.  t\’e  see 
no  other  siK-chuen  In  the  grounda.  The  varie¬ 
gated  Austi'ian  I’iiio  sets  one  to  putting  on  his 
glasses  to  discover  the  why  of  its  variety  name. 
Wo  discover  it  at  length  in  a  loaf  or  so  of  the 
lower  tufts  of  a  yellow  color.  But  tho  tree  is  a 
deformed,  wortliless  thing,  as  compared  with  its 
noble  parent. 
We  once  received  a  Pinus  sylveslris  js-iubda 
from  an  Edinburgh  nursery,  as  iiendulousas  tho 
Weejiiiig  Norway  Rprucc.  It  W'as  very  odd, 
though  not  beautiful,  and  it  is  singular  why  it  is 
not  known  in  tliis  country  or  oven  mentioned  in 
most  coniferous  books. 
We  SCO  in  this  collection  the  I.awson  Cyin-oss. 
Tlie  oxccediiig  beauty  of  tho  many  varieties  of 
this  Culifornluu  tree  and  its  rapid  grow  th  make 
us  greatly  regret  that  it  is  not  hardy  for  this  lat¬ 
itude.  To  our  friends  further  South  wo  com¬ 
mend  it  as  one  of  the  choicest  Evergreens  known. 
It  is  readily  grown  from  seeds,  from  which  fact 
and  its  i^roclivity  to  seminal  variation,  aro  due 
the  many  distinct  and  charming  x  arietics  in  cul¬ 
tivation.  Tho  golden  and  silver  forms  may  liero 
bo  seen. 
Ci'yploniet'in  Jajiouica  presents  a  distinct  fonu 
of  Evergreen  characters,  but  it  is  not  liardy  in 
tho  Middle  States. 
Abies  cxcelsa  stHcln  (c&nica)  is  one  of  the 
handsomest  of  dwarf  Evergreous,  three  or  fonr 
feet  in  height,  small  and  numexous  branches, 
slender,  short,  closely-growing  leaves,  a  perfecOy 
conical  form,  and  as  hardy  as  any  other  of  the 
ypruecs.  It  is  one  of  the  best  for  tlioso  enchant¬ 
ing  little  plots  of  small  Evergreens  which  may 
bo  formed  iu  the  smallest  gardens,  adding  a 
charm  not  excelled  by  anj-  other  group  of  plants. 
Tho  plot  of  deciduous  trees  by  Mr.  Tuomas 
Mkehan  is  not  noted  for  beauty— indeed  it  is  not, 
we  presume,  intended  to  be.  It  consists  of  750 
sjiecies  and  varieties  of  mostly  hardy  deciduous 
shrubs,  vines  ahd  trees,  and  it  is  rarely  tliat  so 
extensive  a  collection  is  grouped  together  in  so 
small  a  space.  The  opportunity  of  ready  com¬ 
parison  and  study  thus  offered,  should  place 
those  disposed  to  avail  tJiemselves  of  it  under 
obligations  to  Mr.  Meehan,  who  has  collected  and 
arranged  this  arboretum  at  an  expenditure, 
doubtless,  of  considerable  time  and  money. 
In  the  Evergreen  plot  of  Mi-.  .S.  I).  Parsons, 
wo  may  observe  Junipertts  ohlougo  pendnln, 
which  is  quite  hardy,  from  the  north  of  China. 
It  is  a  singular,  jienduloua  Evergreen,  that,  at  a 
little  distance,  might  be  mistaken  for  a  toy  W'il- 
low,  so  decided  and  airy  is  its  droop.  Abies  cx¬ 
celsa  data  and  monstrosa  are  here  alone  to  be 
Been.  They  aro  the  strangest  and  most  lawless 
of  Coniferous  subjects,  and  aie  really  dosii-able 
for  then  homeliness.  The  branches  aro  coarse 
!uid  heavy,  and  little  disitosed  to  branch  out. 
The  terminal  spring  growth  bends  them  down  by 
its  weight,  adding  nothing  to  symmetry,  while 
the  difference  in  the  color  between  this  and  last 
year’s  leaves  imiiarts  a  drsconnoctod  or  disjointed  ' 
appearance.  We  think  vn on. sfmsa  and  cton  must  I 
be  identical,  as  there  is  no  mention  of  the  latter 
in  any  of  tho  works  at  hand.  If,  however,  they 
arc  distinct  varieties,  we  should  purchase  'nmi- 
slrosa  for  its  expressive  name. 
Abies  CmatJensis  microphylla  is  for  the  dwarf 
Evergreen  plots  of  which  we  have  spoken  another  1 
suitable  plant.  II  might  be  called  the  Skeleton 
Hemlock,  with  some  propriety,  so  fine  and  nar¬ 
row  aro  its  leaves.  It  is  as  hardy  as  tho  species. 
A  broail,  dark-leaved  variety,  of  dense  gi'owth,  is 
marked  A.  C.  inacrophylla,  which  is,  wo  think,  a 
mistake. 
In  many  colloctiona  tlm  magnificent  Pioeo,  or, 
as  Mr.  ITooRES  prefers  pi  olas.^fy  it.  Abies  Eord- 
umrniiarm.  Is  ju’eaent,  though  one  or  two  of 
goodly  size  have  snfferod,  either  from  being 
transplanted  or  from  tho  burning  heat  of  .fuly 
and  August.  Tho  smaller  ones,  however,  are  as 
fresh  as  ever.  TMs  is  one  of  the  most  heoiitiful 
and  perfect  Evorgroons.  From  onr  own  nxj)eri- 
ence,  wo  should  say  tliat,  when  planted  iu  sandy 
soil,  it  will,  during  very  severe  winters,  require 
shade,  from  the  mid-day  sun,  in  the  latitude  of 
New  York. 
®!)c  Naturalist, 
THE  WAY  ANTS  FIGHT. 
A  CORRE.SPONDENT  of  I.aud  aud  Water  tells 
how  ants  fight  in  South  Africa  which,  although 
not  gi-eatly  differing  from  such  contests  in  other 
genera,  and  in  other  countries  still  it  is  quite 
interesting,  as  are  most  tales  told  of  tho.^o  wise 
little  creatures : 
Daring  the  months  of  Beptomber  and  October, 
1873,  I  was  living  in  the  dense  bnsli,  about  six 
miles  from  C!ai)o  Coast  Castle.  Having  much 
time  at  my  disposal,  I  nlllized  it  by  noting  tho 
habits  and  natures  of  the  vanous  cre.itnros  in¬ 
habiting  that  hoautifnl,  though  deadly,  country. 
1  was  particularly  attracted  by  tho  vast  hordes 
of  ants  which  were  to  be  .seen  every  day  marching  j 
over  tho  narrow  road.s  through  Mic  bush,  and  1 
determinod  to  notice  their  habits  as  clo.sely  as 
possible.  I’erhapB  it  may  interest  those  of  your 
rcjuiers  wlio  have  a  taste  for  natural  history,  if 
I  extract  from  my  notes  all  that  refers  to  these 
insects,  for  these  particulars  1  have  not  yet  seen  j 
noted  in  any  work  yet  published.  In  the  first  I 
instance  1  would  mention  their  migratory  habits. 
I  was  unable  to  discover  tlio  ounso  of  tho 
changes  of  abode  they  made,  or  what  it  u-as  tliat 
induced  them  to  take  up  tlu-lr  new  quaiters  in 
any  particular  sixit ;  hut  this  was  certain,  tlioy 
were  constantly  on  tho  move,  traveling  along  a 
sort  of  cutting  or  groove,  made  by  their  own  ! 
Countless  footsteps.  I 
1  observed  that  besides  tho  ordinary  ants,  not  ' 
much  lorgi.-r  than  our  own  English  insects,  there 
were  others,  of  about  twice  tho  size  of  their 
smaller  brethren,  and  armed  with  a  huge  liorny 
pail-  of  “pincers”  on  tho  head.  These  insi^cts 
always  sLationed  themselves  on  the  brow  of  the  j 
cutting,  oocasiotully  patrolling  up  and  down,  | 
aud  evidonUy  surveyed  tho  movements  of  their  [ 
friends  below.  I  never  saw  tlioso  larger  insects 
carrying  a  burden,  or  in  any  way  assisting  in  the 
labors  of  the  couimon  ants  ;  they  seemed  to  mo 
to  act  as  a  sort  of  leader,  to  direct  tho  march  of  j 
their  brethren.  1  onco  placed  obstructions  iu  ! 
tho  U'Cnch  to  observe  the  conduct  of  tho  insects ;  J 
I  noticed  that  if  tho  material  was  soft  enough, 
th.0  lints  broke  it  up  aud  carried  it  clear  of  tho 
U'onch,  by  morsels,  but  a  stone  too  heavy  to  move, 
and  too  hard  to  break  up,  they  left  alouo,  simply 
timucUing  uuder  it !  | 
While  some  of  tho  insects  wore  thus  occupied,  j 
the  column  left  tho  trench  for  tlie  time,  and  as 
soon  as  all  was  dear,  returned  ki  the  old  course. 
I  may  as  well  moutiou  that  on  those  migratory 
marches  the  ants  do  not  carry  any  bimlens, 
either  food  or  impio,  as  wo  see  them  do  iu 
England.  I  found  by  exiierimcut  that  if  tho 
few  leading  ants  w'ore  destroyed,  the  whole 
colunrn  turned  hack  and  retired  ;  that  if  sonic  of 
the  insects  in  tho  ccukr  were  killed  so  as  to 
bit<ak  the  column,  tliose  in  front  went  on ;  tliose 
beiiind  retired.  Here,  it  is  evident  that  some 
means  of  comnimiicatiuu  must  exist  between 
them,  for  these  advaiicoB  and  retreats  were 
simultaneous  and  without  confusion.  With  an  j 
anecdote  of  what  remarkable  organization  these 
minute  creatures  arc  capable,  I  will  conclude  ' 
this  somewhat  iwotractcd  letter. 
One  morning  a  friend  and  I  watched  a  column 
of  ants  starting  from  their  home  iu  the  mud  [ 
walla  of  a  hut  in  our  camp,  and  doloruiiiicd  to  [ 
follow  them  to  their  destinatirm.  They  marched 
straight  to  tiro  parapet,  mounted  its  inner  face,  j 
desccndcKl  into  the  trench,  and  then  mounted  , 
the  opirosite  side  and  proceeded  to  the  open 
ground  there.  They  directed  their  ccursc  to  a 
small  mound  of  fresh  earth,  aud  there  tlio  lead-  j 
ing  insects  halted,  rcmalniug  at  tho  foot  of  the  , 
hillock  nntil  tho  whole  force  was  present.  I  i 
have  calculated  tho  number  of  this  Liliputian  | 
army,  by  the  distance  their  column  extended,  j 
allowing  an  average  of  four  abreast,  aud  a  j 
length  of  one-eight  of  an  inch  to  each  section  of 
four,  to  be  about  13,824,  exclusive  of  the  larger  j 
insects.  ' 
When  tho  whole  force  was  assembled,  the 
little  army  divided ;  one  part  remained  at  the 
foot  of  the  mound  and  ran  roimd  and  round  it 
