Of ANTS. € g 
the ordering their Settlements after they are 
finifhed, and which return every Summer, and 
may be looked upon as a conftant Part of the Ants 
Labours. 
The Hill Ants collect a vaft Quantity of Pieces 
of dry Sticks, Chips, Straw-Motes, and other 
Rubbifh, which they carry to the Surface of their 
Colonies, and place together in Heaps. This Em¬ 
ployment they renew every Spring, and continue 
through the whole Summer. It is not a little cu¬ 
rious to obferve from what Diftances they will 
bring, and with what Dexterity manage, Sticks of 
an Inch or two in length. The Defign of this 
Colle&ion is, in fome Meafure, to guard againfl: 
any Foreign Invafion ; for as they are very fond 
of Basking in the Sun, they can, by this means* 
in a Moment ^withdraw out of Sight, and efcape 
the Enemy. You may, in a fine ferene Morning^ 
fee them, like a Swarm of Bees, on the external 
Part of the RubbiOi $ and they will on the leafl 
disturbance, with incredible Swiftnefs, vanilh and 
difappear. This Colle&ion feems alfo to be of 
great Ufe in promoting the Maturity of the young 
Nymphs; Numbers of which you may, at the 
proper Seafon, find interfperfed with the Rubbifh. 
The Fiercends of the Sun-beams is* by fuch In* 
F 3 terpofition* 
