The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-22
NO n u Vf AfficH.
THE STORY OF THE DRIvERs-uow THEY
WORK, FIGHT, AND FoRAY.

WORK, FIGHT, AND FoRAY.
[From The American Naturalistl
A very lew hours residence IN the tropical
regions of Africa brings one into very unde-
sirable familiarity with that extensive tribe
OF insects, the ants, some species oil whlch are
found in all parts of the world, but which are
greatly multiplied in the tropical regions OF
the GLOBE Africa, 1t is believed, can boast OF
greater variety than any other land. Their
name mere IS legion. They are everywhere;
OUT OF doors and in doors; in your food and
in your bed, determined to share both
They are OF all sizes; some so small that they
pass ga lily between the threads OF common
muslin, and even insinuate themselves into
your watch as il hangs in your chamber;
others measure nearly an inch in length.
The habits and food of the different sp ,cies
differ greatly. Some, as the Termites, called
White ants (which however, are not true ants
but Neuropterous insects,) eat vegetable mat
ter exclusively, destroying our houses, furnt-
tnre and clothing; Others are cainIverousi
others iced upon sugar or the sweet juices OF
plants. Any one of the many species. FOUND
in so great abundance, would uTEish 81 M
cent mate ial tor months OF study, lor the
enthusiastic naturalist.
1t is OF one species only that propose to
speak, the Drivers Annomma arcens OF 4 est
wood, an insect whose life history Is yet very
kHONn DQL VI WuOoe bdoitS tbO
dweller in the tropical regions Of West Aiiica
cannot long remain ignorant.
The Driver ants worry IN size from threo
quarters OF an incn TO one-third of an inch In
length, the soldiers being the largest. Tney
are OF jet black color with large head arm-
ed with exceedingly sharp, branching forceps,
or mandlbles, with which they seize and cut
up their prey. They do not appear to have
any liked habitatlons, as do the Termites, but
ofat tba aarfh from I,at he of
trees, and in the cavity thus formed lay their
eggs and rear their young, and from which
they issue in incredible numbers literally
millions OF millions to go upon their rails.
The night is chosen tor the ioraging expe-
ditions in the midst OF social enjoyment, tue
stirring announcement is made, "Here are
the driversm and instantly, as by an electric
shock, all are on the alert TO escape a personal
attack. Lanterns and bamboo torches are
lighted, and search made about the house to
learn the direction taken by the assailants;
and If in their usual numbers. the house Is
often lett to them entirely Tor hours. And
still more unweicome at the hours oil midnight
is the bleating oil sleep and caeklng ol hens,
in the enclosure. "Al hands" are awakened
from their slumbers, and the whole yard light
ed the animals ale released rom confDe-
ment and .e.t to take care of themselves; the
TO Wis removed to place Of safety, il one is to
be found; but if neglected and left without
the chance of escape, their destruction is sure.
.. The Drivers are alike The enemy of man
and beast, though there are times when their
visits are most welcome. On their approach
every kind Of verm n is seized with copstern-
atIon. and seek saieiy in hight. Cenipeues,
cockroaches, scorpions. etc, ETC., leave their
hiding places, anu are seen seeking places of
greater security, only to fall at last into the
ciutcbes of their relentless Toe, from whom
there is no escape.
An invading army could not exhibit high
er state Of discipline Than is seen in the mUve-
ments OF these insects. They enter a house
usually at one point, where strong guard Is
stationed to deend the pass; they then
branch off right and left and again divide and
till the whole ground i, ,completeiy
covered; not an inch is left uDexplored, and
every crack and Granny Is entered, giving but
little hope oil escape 10 any Great re that may
be taund secreted there. Attacking their prey
they plunge their forceps i.A.a III REGARDLESS of
the size or strength other antagonist. Hr-.h-
ing will cause them to relax their hold. The
animal or insect writhes and twists under tho
pam, but his case is rendered more hopeless
e, ery moment by additions to the number OF
his assalants; at length, when comp.efely ex-
bausted by struggling, he yields 10 his late,
and is dispa ched at the victOrs' leisure.
The attack goes on simultaneously, in dit
ferent pats OF the house. Animal substance
being almost excusive,y the food OF the Driv-
ers an immense number of the smaller YER
min hat iniest our dwellings are consumed
by them, and some of the larger auimas
when confined are aso destroyed by them
They have been known to attack human
being when rendered helpless b. disease. and
cause his death in a few hours 1t is interest
ing to see band OF these midnight marauc-
ers returning home rom the scene OF plundsr
on the approach OF day. Issuing from the
same place they entered, they aIe each seen
bearing away some trophy with them; JOLT
OF cockroac IS leg, the body OF spider, or
the larvae oil some insects, &c., are the various
SPOTS. AS the laborers pass Cd with their
loads they are guarded by large body Of sol
diers, which are stationed along the sides Of
tbeir path; or, il they are 10 pass Though
place OF uncommon exposure, these soldIeIs
form a covered passage by staining upon
each others back and hooking their lorceps
together, through this arch thus formed the
laborers pass in safety.
When they leave house it must be rom
some signal from the leader, as some OF them
are seen running from one to ano' her evident
ly giving command. The retreat is made In
good order; not one individual Is ever left be-
hind. They often bridge narrow streams of
water whit n these come across their path, by
going in large numbers upon tiexib plant
| ON one side of a stream, until their weight
| cau.es 1t 10 bend to the other side. For cour-
| ace and activity the soldiers have no iual
| they know no fear, and when on duty they
| stand with their shiny black heads erect and
| forceps open, ready 10 seize on any passing
| animal No horse, donkey or dog can be iD-
| duced to cross their path, seeming to have an
| instructive dread of them aid woe be TO The
| ir rdividual man or beast, who gets among
| them at night. If a twig is drawn through
| their ranks they instantly close their forceps
| upon it; and Others ID turn close upon their
bodies and legs, till a mass OF them is seen at
the end of the stick, looking like buncu ol
| cuiled hair
These insects have no eyes, but their sense
| of smell is very acute, Tor II the breath be
| blown on them from the distance OF some
| feet they are instantly in motion; running tc
and iro with the greatest speed, evidently
aware OF the approach of some living being
When live coal is dropped in their way they
| Immediately attack it, though hundreds may
perish in doing so. They are yer, sensitive
| to the light OF the sun. which is fatal to them
| they seldom move during the day, and then
| only when cloudy, choosing then the dark
woo d. OF thick grass. Their rate Of piogres'
| sion is about two yards IN a minute, ana 10
reir journeys from place to place they g
from Iour to eight abreast. ! have seen {
stream OF Drivers crossing an open patch Al
six o'clock 10 the morning, and at six at Digh
their number was unfinished. How long theJ
had been passing before saw tbem, or how
lorg it continued, l am not able to Say. Tbeil
path, fion constant travel, became quite worr
and smooth. The natives are very careful e
| remove all grass from the viclnny OF thei
houses, as a means Of keeping of these pests