O/AST S. , 05 
transformed by Jupiter 5 at the Requeft of /Eacus 9 
into Men, were of this Species; a poetical Fi£Hon 
which gave Birth to the Race of Myrmidons.They 
are, however, very follicitous and careful of their 
Young, nor pretend to demolifh any of the Ver- 
micles or Nymphs that belong to their own 
Colonies. 
* 
It is a Queftion in what manner Ants tranf- 
riant themfelvses, and form new Settlements, The 
Conduit of Bees in this Refpect is obvious. But A 
whether a Queen Arit, when a Colony is over¬ 
full, with a Set of Attendants, feeks a new Habi¬ 
tation, or what other Method they purfue, is a 
Point my Obfervations have not determined. 
It is a Sufpicion amongft Virtuofi, whether 
Ants are prejudicial to Fruit, and make it any 
Part of their Aliment. I am forry my Partiality 
towards this curious Infeil cannot engage me to 
ward-, on the Petition ofJEacus for a new Set of Sub. 
jefts equal in Number to a large Colony of Ants in 
the Neighbourhood of his Palace, Jupiter changed the 
Ants into Men, and JEacus gave the new People the 
Name of Myrmidons from an Ant. Ovid Met. 
L. 7. Tho’ wemuft be fo candid to allow that Ovid 
gives them the Colour of Black. 
plead 
