BROWN ANT. 20^ 
most singular history. So then these ants 
keep their herds of milch cattle nmch in 
the same way that we keep our herds of 
cows or ^oats. It is the first instance 
that you have mentioned of two different 
kinds of insects living together on terms 
of friendship ; all the rest seem to avoid 
or to prey upon each other. 
Mother, It is a curious circumstance; 
nor do I recollect any thing similar to it 
among all the other tribes of insects.^ 
But, my dear Lucy, I have selected only 
a very few particulars in the economy 
of these sagacious animals ; there are 
many, which would appear almost in* 
credible if they were not well authenti- 
cated. For example, nests of ants have 
regular pitched battles with each other> 
in which they practise all the stratagems 
of the most skilful warfare ; they fight 
with the most inveterate obstinacy, and 
leave the field of battle covered with 
slain. 
Lucy, One can readily imagine, that 
two ants might quarrel for a dead fly, or 
