New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-07-17
An Ant Fight.

Mr.. Editor Whilst rambling in the fields
a few days since, | witnessed scene OF particu-
lar interest, one which think goes far to demon
strate that some insects possess reasoning facul-
ties. The incident referred to. was pitched
battle between two near republics OF ants, the
bone Of contention being evidently the possession
of grasshoppcr which lay crushed midway be-
tween 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 mandlbles, squirting venom, and hun
bred other manGuvres incident to a hand TO
hand fight. Suddenly a cessation of hostties
was agreed upon, and the combatants left the
field each party returning to It's respective hill,
leaving nine of their number outside the works,
who immediately each mounted tall blade of
grass, seeming TO act as sentries, which In fact.
was their Office for upon of the hills suddenly
poured forth millions of tiny warriors. They
descended from the look outs and descended into
the citadel, which, in its turn sent forth a martial
throng.
One body emerged from its sally ports without
any regard for order till space OF some three or
four feet had been passed over when they deployed
TO the right and left, till they formed extended
front Of SIX feet, their right resting on the bank of
small pool and the left on rock about twenty
inches high. The opposite party in coming forth,
exhibited more finished disposition. From three
outlets, they advanced in couples and tros, alter
natcly, each trio moving in direct line for the
centre of their opponents line. and hating when
within three feet, the couplcts proceeding on an
angle drawn from their hill to the extreme right
and left of their foes. The right couplcts took
up "a position on a small knoll about five feet
from the enemies rock, two in rear of the tros,
while the left continued It's march till the pool
caused a halt. An immediate rclrowadc move
ment took place, and the body posted itself in
line, extending from the right of the trios, (and
forming a triangle with it, TO the bank of the
pool. Both parties remained stationary few
moments then striking Their heads violently on
the ground, and raising themselves erect the
trlos rushed to the fight, the couplets remaining
stationary. The movement of the trios was met
by an immediate advance of the right and left OF
the line, the centre calamity maintaining It's
ground, as If attempting TO gam the trios rear.
THIS attempt. however, was follcd by the coupcts
opposing them, and the fight became general.
As either party gained the asccndancy, there
would be running, or rather tumbllng fight all
over the field OF BATTLE which embraced an area
of twenty feet square. Occasionally as tho tide
of battle left portion Of the ground, thousands
might be seen writing IN agony from the loss OF
limb or antcnna. After a hard fight of sixty
five minutes, the trios and coupcts were vctorl-
Gus. pursuing the vanqulshcd into their fortress
when raplnc seemed to be the order of the day.
The nests of their antagonists were torn to pieces,
and their eggs and young borne oil trlurnphantly
TO the conqucror's fortress.
The battle ground now exhibited a picture, an
exact counterpart in miniature OF other .heldS ~
giory. But what interested me most, was the
operation of the surgeons and their assistants,
(now don't smile, ncrcduous,} there was in that
insect army regular staff OF officers III their
own peculiar uniforms and surgeons and their
attendants. On the leaves OF a large thistle,
which was spread or the ground, a body OF ants
with greenish iorebodics, and red antenng, were
gathered together and evidently convcrslng, for
they would occasionally touch each other on
various parts of their bodies with their antcnnG.
and when so touched the individual would start
oil to the field of battle, and running among the
straggcrs and wounded for a few moments, re-
turn; and in turn, touch some other one who
started off on the same Grand.
A few inches from this body on a neighborlng
leaf, were a body Of grim, black looking fellows
to whom hundreds Of the common soldiers were
dragging TIC WOuHucu anu uyllg, "licIc'ti d
limb had been severed from the body, or wound
Inflicted the black surgeons would dcposite
drop OF fluid from its mouth and then the patient
was dragged into the citadel. Night had now
nearly set IN, and with reluctance, was Obliged
to quit the scene.
We can well say with Huber, "we can COM
prchcnd the instinct which shall at all times,
cause an animal to build its habtation after
distinct fashion, but spontaneous combination
of faculties seems TO take place in these wars /
shall pay visit to the interior of these republics
soon, where | have 40 doubt [ shall find ample
food for wonder, which will give me pleasure to
communicate, as etymoogy has become my study
Yours, &c. IL. NJ. ZANE,
AN INDUSTRIOUS MAN.-.Iudgc Colquitt, of CO.
lumbus, Geo, recently spoke for several hours be-
fore the Supreme Court, at Pensacola, on an I'M
portant law case and III the evening he preached
TO "a crowded audience In the Methodist Eplsco-
pal Church.
rY,DIDITNrI, Jnp oDINrTJNT OFFICE