poffefs themfelves by force o f a lodgment, and fo are frequently
diflodged from the fame neft, and taken for the fame kind' o f
infefts. This is often the cafe with the nefts o f the fmaller fpe>-
eies, which are frequently totally abandoned by the termites, and
completely inhabited by different fpecies of ants, cockroaches-,
fcolopendræ, fcorpions, and other vermin fónd o f obfcure retreats,
that occupy different parts o f their roomy buildings.
In the winged hate they have alfo much altered their fize as •
welf as form. Their bodies now meafure between- fix and fëven-
tenths o f an inch in length, and their wings above two inches,
and a half from tip to tip, and'they are equal in bulk to about:
thirty labourers, or two foldièrs. They are now alfo furnifhed
with two large eyes placed on each fide of the Head, and very
confpicuous ; if they have any before, they are not eafily to be-
diftinguifhed. Probably, in the two firft ftates, their eyes, if they
have any, may be fmall like thofe o f moles ; for as they live like
thefe animals always under ground, they have as little occafibn,
för thefë organs, and'it is not to be wondered at that we dö not
difcover thém ; but the cafe is much altered when they arrive at
the winged ftate, in which they are to roam, though but for a
few hours, through the wide-air, and'explore new and: diftant
regions. In this form the animal comes abroad dtiring, or foon
after, the firft tornado, which at the latter end o f the dry feafom
proclaims the approach of the enfüîng rains-, and feldbm waits for
a fécond or third fhower; if the firft, as is generally the cafe,
happens in the night, and brings much wet after it, the quantities
that are to be found the next morning all over the furface of the
earth, but particularly on the waters, is aftonifhing ; for their
wings are only calculated:to carry them a few hours-; and after
the
the rtfing of the fun, not one in a thoufand is to be found with
four wings, unlefs the morning continues rainy, when here and
there a folitary being is feen winging it’s way from one place to
another, as if folicitous only to avoid it’s numerous enemies, particularly
various fpecies o f ants, which are hunting on every fpray,
on every leaf, and in every poflible place, for this unhappy race,
o f which, probably, not a pair in many millions get into a place
o f fafety, fulfil the firft law o f nature, and lay the foundation o f
g. new community.
Not only all kinds o f ants, birds, and carnivorous reptiles, as
well as infefts, are upon the hunt for them, but the inhabitants
o f many countries eat them.
They are now become, from one o f the moft a&ive, induftrious,
and rapacious, from one o f the moft fierce and implacable little
animals in the world, the moft innocent, helplefs, and cowardly J
never making the leaft refiftance to the fmalleft ant. The ants
are to be feen on every fide in infinite numbers, of various fpecies
and fizes, dragging thefe annual viftims of the laws o f nature to
their different nefts. It is wonderful that a pair fhould everefcape
fo many dangers, and get into a place o f fecurity. Some, however,
are fo fortunate; and being found by the labouring
infefts that are continually running about the furface o f the
ground under their covered galleries, the little induftrious creatures
immediately inclofe them in a fmall chamber o f clay, fuit-
able to their fize, into which at firft they leave but one fmall entrance,
large enough for themfelves and the foldiers to go in and
out, but much too little for either o f the royal pair to make ufe
o f ; and when necefftty obliges them to make more entrances,
P P 2 they