582 Insects. 
THE LABOURING AND SOLDIER ANT. 
(Formica rufa.) 
The colour of the Ant is in general a dark red or brown, 
with a fine gloss on the abdomen. They are like the 
bees, divided into three kinds — males, females, and neu 
ters. The females and neuters are furnished with stings 
for their defence ; the males are wholly destitute of them. 
The males and females are in proper season furnished 
with wings, but the neuters have none, and they are 
doomed always to labour and drudgery on the hill. This 
hill is constructed with considerable art and labour ; it 
is composed of leaves, bits of wood, sand, earth, and 
gum from the trees, which are all united into a mass, 
perforated with galleries to give access to the numerous 
cells which it contains. From this hill there are several 
paths, worn by the constant passing and repassing of 
these creatures ; and it is worthy the admiration of the 
naturalist to consider how busy the whole legion appears 
in bringing bits of straw, dead bodies of other insects, 
or. in carrying away their eggs, if any danger threatens 
their republic. Their sense of smell is very keen, and 
they discover at a great distance any food they may be 
in search of. 
Order VI. Lepidoptera. The Moths and Butterflies. 
The insects included in this order are all remarkable for 
their beauty. Their wings are membranous and veined, 
like those of the dragon flies and their allies, but instead 
