The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-07-27
From the Massachusetts Spy.
AN A N II FIG 1T.

Mr.. Editor Whilst rambling in tn,
a fields, few days since, witnessed scene
= of particular inerest-one which think
:, goes far TO demonstrate that some insect;
possess reasoning faculties. The inciden
, referred 10, was pitched battle between
two near republics of ants, the bone O
:, contention being evidently the possession
: Of a grasshopper, that lay crushed mid
a way between the two hills, which were
, some twenty feet apart.
: When first seen, the combatants were
clustered around the object of contest
, graphing each other with their mandbles,
squirting venom, and an hundred other
manoeuvres incident to a hand to hand
fight. Sudden y, a cessation of hostiities
was agreed upon, and the combatants left
the field, each party returning to its re.
,, specive hill, leaving nine OF their number
outside the works, who immediately mount
ed each tall blade of grass, seeming to
act as sentries, which, in fact was their
Office, for, upon one of the hills suddenly
poured forth myrlads of tiny warriors.-
They descended from the look outs, and
rushed into the citadel, which, IN lis turn
sent forth martial throng. One body
emerged from its sally ports without any
regard for order, till space of some or
4 feet had been passed over, when thew
deployed to the right and left, till thew
formed an extended front of 6 feet, their
right resting on the bank of a small pool.
and the left on rock about 90 inches
high. The opposite party, in coming
forth, exhibited more finished DISPOSE
ton. From 3 outlets, they advanced in
couples and trios, alternately each trio
moving in direct line for the centre of
their opponents line, and hating when
within 3 feet the coupets proceeding on
an angle drawn from their hill to the
extreme right and left Of their foes. The
right couplets took up position on a
small knoll, about feet from the enemies
rock, and 2 in rear of the trios, while the
left continued its march till the pool caus.
ed a halt. An immediate retrograde move.
ment took place, and the body posted itself
in line, extending from the right of the
trios, land forming a triangle with n,) to
the bank of the pool Both parties now
remained stationary few moments; then,
striking their heads violently on the
ground, and raising themselves erect, the
lrios rushed TO the fight, the couplets re-
naming stationary The movement of
the trios was met by ar immediate ad- |
vance Of the right and left OF the line
Qhe centre CALAMITY maintaining its
ground,) as attempting TO gain the trios
rear. This attempt, however, was foiled
by the coupets opposing them, and the
hight became general. AS either party
gained the ascendancy, there would be a
running, or rather tumbing fight all over
the field of battle, which embraced an area
OF 20 feet square. Occasionally as the
tide of battle left one portion of the ground,
thousands might be seen wrilhing in ago.
ny from the loss of a limb or antenne -
After hard fight of IS minutes, the ,rios
and coupets were victorious, pursuing
the vanquished into their fortress, when
rapine seemed 10 be the order of the day.
The nests OF their antagonists were torn
to pieces, and their eggs and young borne
OFT trlumphantly to the conluerer's for.
tress. The battle ground now exhibited
a picture, an exact counterpart ia mina-
ture, of other fields of glory But, what
interested me most was, the operations of
The surgeons and their assistants, (oow |
don't smile incredulous,) there was ia that
insect army regular staff of officers in
heir own peculiar uniforms, and surgeons
and their attendants. On the leaves of =
large thistle, which was spread on the
ground, body of ants with greensh c
forebodes, and red attenna were gathered a
ogether & evidently corversing, for thew
would occasionally touch each other on s
various parts of their bodies with their I
antenne, and when so touched the indi- !
7Idua would start off to the field of battle.
and running among the straggers and
wounded Tor few moments, return: and, | [
IN turn, touch some other one who started
1oft on the same errand. A few inches /
rom this body, on a neighboring Leaf,
were body of grim, black looking fell
lows, 10 whom hundreds of the common
soldiers were dragging the wounded and
lying, wherever limb had been severed
from the body, or wound inflicted, the
black surgeons would deposit drop of ,
duld from its mouth, and then the patient t
was dragged into the citadel. Night had |
now nearly set in, and, with reluctance,
was obliged TO quit the scene. a
We can well say with Huber, 1--WE can :
comprehend the instinct which shall at all i
lines cause an animal to build its babi,a- |
hon after a distinct fashion," but snon- (
.aneous combination of faculties seems to !.
axe place in these wars. | shall nav a =
visit to the interior Of these republics soon. O
when have no doubt shall find annie +
God for wonder, which will give me v
pleasure 10 communicate, as entomology Y
las become my study. " h
Yours, &C., Fl. M. PAINE. D