
396 THE INSECT WORLD). 
files, eight or ten abreast, preceded by their scouts. These 
columns start at a run, in a straight line, and without feeling 
their way. They have no chieftain. The van is re-formed every 
moment. Those who are in front do not remain there ; at the end 
of a certain time they go and range themselves in the rear, and 
are replaced by those which were behind. The whole troop is 
thus in constant communication throughout its entire length. 
Rarely does the expedition divide into two bodies. Arrived 
under the walls of the fortress, the column halts and masses itself 
into one corps. The assault is made with incredible impetuosity. 
In the twinkling of an eye the place is escaladed, taken by 
storm, and pillaged, and the ashy-black ants either put to flight 
or led away into captivity. The same ant-hill may be invaded 
as many as three times running on the same day; but then the 
ashy-black ants, on their guard, have barricaded themselves in, 
and in that case the aggressors return home without pillaging 
them. 
The Mining ants (Fig. 370) are less timid than the ashy-black, 
and as they defend themselves with more energy, there are fre- 

Fig. 370.—Mining Ant (Fermica cuniculuria), male, worker, and female. 
quently deadly combats, and the field of battle is left covered with 
heads, legs, and limbs scattered about here and there, with the 
dead and wounded. The miners pursue the pillagers, and snatch 
their plunder from them. But they are sometimes driven back 
vigorously, and the russet ants gain their lair with their plunder. 
The tactics of the Red ants (ormica sanguinea) differ from those 
of the russet. They only sally forth in small detachments, which 
begin by engaging in skirmishes with the scouts thrown out 
round the enemy’s ant-hill. Couriers, despatched from time to 
time to the camp of the red ants, bring up reinforcements. 
When the troop feels itself sufficiently strong, it invades the 
nest of the ashy-black ants, and carries off their offspring, which 
the latter have not had time to secure. Sometimes, also, the red 

