

NATURAL HISTORY. 198 
vifions are fcarce, they portion them according to 
their prefent and ruture wants. 
A neft of ants isa {mall well regulated republic, 
united by peace, unanimity, good underftanding and 
mutual affiftance. Great police in their little labours, 
prevents among them thofe diforders, which fre- 
, quently embarrafs and perplex the happinefs of even 
man, who affumes to himfelt the title sae coniequence 
of Lord of the creation.. Each ant has its tafk af- 
figned it ; whilft one removes a particle of mould, a- 
nother is returning home to work. They never think 
of eating, until all their tafk is performed.» Within 
their common, but fubterraneous hall, which is about 
a foot deep, they affemble, form their focial commu- 
nities, fhelter themielves from bad weather, depofit - 
their eggs, and preferve their aurelias ; which, re- 
fembling grains of corn, as was obferved before, has 
caufed many to miftake them for their granaries. 
ane 
Boe 
