The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-02-10
The Ants OF Africa.

A VERY few hours residence In the
tropical regions of Africa brings one into
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 so
small that they pass easily between the
threads of common muslin, and even in
sinuate themselves into your watch as it
hangs in your chamber; others measure
nearly an inch in length. The habits and
food of the different species 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,
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 abun-
dance, would furnish sufficient material
for months of study for the enthusiastic
naturalist.
to speak, the drivers (annoma arcens of
Westwood), an insect whose life history
is yet very imperfectly known, but of
whose habits the dweler in the tropical
regions of Africa cannot long remain
ignorant.
The driver ants vary in size from three
quarters of an inch to One-third 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 do 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
Qiterally millions OF millions) to go upon
their raids
The night is chosen for the foraglng ex-
peditions. In the midst of social enjoy
mcnt the stirring announcement is made,
"Here are the drivers" 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 direc-
ton taken by the assailantS and if 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 Gall 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 flight. Centipcdcs, cOckrOaches, scor-
piOns, &c, &c, leave their hiding places,
and are seen seeking places of greater Sc
curity, only to fall at last into the clutches
of their relentless foe, from whom there is
no escape.
An invading army could not exhibit a
| higher state of discipline than is seen
in the movements of these in
sccts. They enter house usually at one
! point, where strong guard is stationed
to defend the pass; they then branch oil
| fight and left, and again divide and sub
divide, till the whole ground is complete
ly covered not an inch is left uneXplOrcd,
and every crack and Granny is entered,
giving but little hope of escape to any
creature that may be found secreted there.
Attacking their prey they plunge they
their forccps into it, regardless Of the
| size or strength of their antagonist.
Nothing will cause them to relax their
hold. The animal or insect writhes and
twists under the pain, but his case is
rendered more hopeless every moment by
additions to the humber of his assailants
at length, when completely exhausted by
struggling, he yields to his fate and is de-
spatched at the victor's 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 vermln 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 human being,
when rendered helpless by disease, and
| cause his death in few hours. 1t is IN
teresting to see band of these midnight
marauders returning home from scene oi
plunder on the approach of day. Issuing
| from the same place they entered, they are
each seen bearing away some trophy with
| them joint of cockroach's leg, the
body of a spider, or the larve of some
insect, &c, are the various spoilS. As the
| laborers pass on with their loads they are
guarded by large body of soldiers, which
are stationed along the sides of their path;
or, if they are to pass through place OF
| uncommon exposure, these soldiers form
a covered passage, by standing upon each
others back and hooking their forceps to-
gether through this arch, thus formed,
the laborers pass in safety.
When they leave a house it must be
from some signal from the leaders, as some
of them are seen running from one to
another, evidently giving command. The
retreat is made in good order; not one
| individual is ever left behind. They often
bridge narrow streams of water when
these come across their path, by going in
large numbers upon flexible plant on
one side of stream, until their weight
causes it to bend to the Otherside. For
courage and activity the soldiers have no
equal they know no fear, and when on
duty they stand with their shiny black
heads erect and forceps open, ready to
seize on any passing animal. No horse
| >hDSN
their path, seeming to have an instructive
dread of them; and woe be to the indi-
vidual, man or beast, who gets among
them at night. If atwig is drawn through
their ranks they instantly close their for
ccps upon it: and others in turn close
upon their bodies and legs, until mass OF
them is seen at the end of the stick, look
ing like bunch Of curled hair.
These insects have no eyes, but their
sense of smell is very acute, for If the
breath be blown on them from the distance
of some feet, they are instantly in motion
running to and fro with the greatest
speed, evidently aware of the approach O
some human being. When live coal i:
dropped i'll their way they Immediately
attack it, though hundreds may perish il
doing so. They are very sensitive to th'
light of the sun, which is fatal to them
| IN. L.