Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-02-17
The Ants OF Africa.

q very undesirable familiarity with that
extensive tribe Of insects, the ants, some
species of which are found In all parts Of
the world, but which are greatly multi
piled in the tropical regions Of the globe.
Africa, it is believed, can boast Of great
ter variety than any other land. Their
name here is legion. They are every
where; out of doors and in doors; in your
food and In your bed, determined to share
both. They are of all sizes; some 80
small that they pass easily between tho
threads Of common muslin, and even In.
sinuate themselves into your watch ~ 1t
hangs in your chamber; others measure
nearly an inch In length. The habits and
food Of the different species diner 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,
furniture and clothing; others are car.
niverous; others feed upon sugar or the
sweet juices Of plants. Any one OF the
many species, found in SO great album.
dance, would furnish sufficient material
for months of study for the enthusiastic
naturalist.
1t is of one species only that propose
TO speak, the drivers tannoma arcens OF
Westwood), an insect whose life history
is yet very imperfectly known, but OF
whose habits the dweller In the tropical
regions Of Africa cannot long remain
ignorant.
The driver ants vary in size from three
quarters Of an inch to one-thifd OF an
inch in length, the soldiers being the larg-
est. They are Of glossy, jet black color,
with large head, armed with exceedingly
sharp, branching forceps, or mandibles,
with which they seize and cut up their
prey. They do not appear TO have any
fixed habitations as d. the termites, but
excavate the earth from between the roots
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 90 upon
their raids.
The night Is chosen for the foraging ex.
petitions. In the midst Of social enjoy.
ment the stirring announcement is made,
"Here are the drivers" and instantly, as
by an electric shock, all are on the alert
TO escape Personal attack. Lanterns and
bamboo torches are lighted, and search
made about the house TO learn the direc-
ton taken by the assailants and II in
their usual numbers, the house Is often
left entirely to them for hours. And still
more unwelcome at the hour of midnight
is the bleating Of sheep and the cackling
Of hens. in the enclosure. "All hands :"
are awakened from their slumber and the
whole yard lighted; the animals are re
leased from confinement an left TO take
care Of themselves; the fowls removed
TO place of safety, if one is to be found |;
but If neglected and left without the
Chance Of escape, their destruction is sure
The drivers are alike the enemies Of
man and beast, though there are times
when their visits are most welcome. On
their approach every kind Of vermin is
seized with CONSERVATION, and seeks safety
in fight. Centipedes cockroaches, scor-
pions &c, &c, leave their hiding places,
and are seen seeking places Of greater So
curity, only TO fall at last into the clutches
OF their relentless foe, from whom there 10
no escape.
An invading army could not exhibit q
higher state of discipline than Is seen
in the movements OF these in
sects. They enter house usually at one
point, where strong guard Is stationed
70 defend the pass; they then branch on
fight and left, and again divide and sub
divide, till the whole ground Is complete
ly covered; not an inch isleft unexplored,
and every crack and Granny IL entered,
giving but little hope OF escape to any
creature that may be found secreted there.
Attacking their prey they plunge they
their forceps into il, regardless CT the
size or strength Of their antagonist.
Nothir- will cause them to relax their
hold. The animal or insect writhes and
twists nder the pain, but his case is
rendered more hopeless every moment by
additions TO the number Of his assailants
ut length, when completely exhausted by
struggling, he yields to his fate and Is de-
spatched ut the victors leisure.
The attack COOS on simultaneously.
in different parts OF the house. Animal
substance being almost exclusively the
food of the drivers, an immense number
OF the smaller vermin that infest our
dwellings are consumed by them, and
some Of the larger animals when confined
are also destroyed by them. They have
been known TO attack q human being
when rendered helpless by disease, and
cause his death in few hours. 1t ls IN
teresting to see band Of these midnight
marauders returning home from Q scene o
plumber on the approach of day. Issuing
from the same place they entered, they ar.
each seen bearing away some trophy Will
them q Joint Of cockroach's leg, the
body OF q spider, or the Larvae Of some
insect, &C., are the various spoils. As thu
laborers pass on with their loads they art
guarded by large body of soldiers, which
are stationed along the sides of their path
or, IL they are to pass through place
uncommon exposure, these soldiers form
q covered passage, by standing upon eaci
Others back and hooking their forceps to
gether through this arch, thus formed
the lab0rers pass in safety.
When they leave house II must b.
from some signal from the leaders, as SOM
of them are seen running from one Y
another, evidently giving command. tn
retreat is made in good order not ON
individual IL ever left behind. They ottel
bridge narrow streams Of water whel
these come across their path, by going Il
large numbers upon flexible plant q
one side of stream, until their weigh
causes It to bend to the othereide. 70
courage and activity the soldiers have n
equal; they know no fear, and whom O.
duty they stand with their shiny blac
heads erect and forceps open, ready I
seize ON any passing animal. No hOrDs