NATURAL HISTORY. a23 
the foremoft of which are fomewhat larger than the hindermoft, but it © 
ofes them again after a certain time. 
Linneus takes notice of four forts of Ants, namely, the horfe Ant, 
the xed Ant, the black Ant, and the corn Ant. 
EES Dae 2 Ps oh X, 
OF THE ANT. 
{From Gotpsmiru.) 
HOUGH the number of two-winged flies be very great, and the 
naturalifts have taken fome pains to defcribe their characters and 
Varieties ; yet there is fuch a fimilitude in their forms and manners, 
that in a work like this, one defcription muft ferve for all, We now 
therefore, come to a fpecies of four-winged infects, that are famous 
rom all antiquity, for their focial and indultrious habits, that are mark- 
€d for their ipirit of fubordination, that are offered as a patron of par- 
Mony to the profufe, and of unremitting diligence to the fluggard. 
In the experiments, however, which have been more recently made, 
@nd the obfervations which have been taken, much of their boafted 
frugality and precaution feem denied them; the treafures they lay up, 
8re no longer fuppofed intended for future provifion, and the choice 
they make in their ftores, feems no way difated by wifdom. It is, in- 
eed, fomewhat furprifing, that almolt every writer of antiquity fhould 
efcribe this infect, as labouring in the fummer, and feafting upon the 
Produce during the winter. Perhaps, in fome of the warmer climates, 
Where the winter is mild, and of fhort continuance, this may take 
Place; but in Frante and England, thefe animals can have no man- 
Rer of occafion for a fupply of winter provifions, as they are actually in 
& ftate of torpidity during that feafon. " ; 
The common ants of Europe, are of two or three different kinds 5 
‘ome red, fome black, fome with ftings, and others without. Such as 
ave flings inflict their wounds in that manner; fuch as are unprovided 
With thefe weapons of defence, have a power of fpurting, from their 
'inder parts, an acid pungent liquor, which, if i: ights upon the fkin, 
Mflames and burns it like nettles. 
The body of an ant is divided, into the head, breaft, and belly. 
N the head*the eyes are placed, which are entirely black, and under 
€ eyes, there are two {mall horns or feelers, compofed of twelve joints, 
covered with a fine filky hair. The mouth is furnifhed with two 
“Tooked jaws, which projeé&t outwards, in each of which are feen inci- 
Ures, that look like teeth, ‘Ihe breaft is covered with a fine filky hair, 
Tom which project fix legs, that are pretty ftrong and hairy, the ex- 
;Temities of each armed with two {mall claws, which the animal ufes 
“0 climbing. ‘he belly is more red than the reft of the body, which 
'S of a brown chefnut colour, fhining as glafs, and covered with ex- 
*emely fine hair. 
Q2 From 
