Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-05

as it goes along. Should mass of decay
ing wood sheltering quantity of larvae be
encountered. the ants concentrate large
force upon it, and every hole and .crevice
is explored and rifed. On meeting with
wasps' nest they cut it to pieces in no
time, regardless of the rage of its owners,
and leave not a larva, pupa or young one
behind.
Mr. Bates was never able to track these
Ecitons to their home. Whenever OBJ
served they were on the march. One day
he saw procession extending from sixty
to seventy yards in length, and yet neither
the van nor the rear was in view The
main column was accompanied by what
might be called line of couriers that ran
backward and forward, seeming to hold
the members Of the army in communica-
ton. Besides these there were regularly
stationed on the borders of the column
large-headed individuals that appeared to
have little or nothing to do, as they car
ried no burdens and showed no disposition
to fight for or protect the rest. Some au-
munity, but Mr.. Bates fancied their un-
happy office was to serve as food for the
ant-thrushes and thus indirectly preserve
the main body from destruction. FIRE.
quently these Ecitons were observed to
pause in sunny places on their route and
indulge in rest or recreation. The masses
maintained their place in the columns, but
all stopped simultaneously, as if smitten
with sudden fit of laziness."
Some were walking slowly about, 9th
ers were brushingth antenn9 with their
fore-feet; but the drollest sight was their
cleaning one another Here and there an
ant was seen stretching forth first one leg
and then another, to be brushed or washed
by one or more of its comrades, who per
formed the task by pressing the limb be-
| tween the jaws and the tongue, finishing
by giving the antenn9 a friendly wipe 1t
was curious spectacle and one well cal
culated to excite ones amaZement.
The actions of these ants looked like
| simple indulgence in idle amusement
Have these little creatures, then, al excess
of energy beyond what is required for Ia
bOrs absolutely necessary for the welfare of
their species, and do they thus expend it
in mere sportiveness, like young lambs or
kittens, or in idle whims, like rational
| beings? 1t is probable that these hours of
relaxation and cleaning may be indispen-
sable to the effective performance of their
harder labors; but, whilst looking at them,
| hp hot tba o,,+o
merely in play was irresistible"
The Ecat0n pred0t0r is small dark
red species that hunt, not in columns, but
in phalanxes which sometimes spread over
a space Of from four to six square yards.
They move rapidly and consume whatever
inactive and softbodied insects fall in
their reach. They mount to the apex. of
all lower trees, searching every twig and
leaf, and pouring like flood of dark-red
liquid over its whole surface The Ecit0n
cf,dssicofngS has eyes composed of single
/ lens, as have all the foregoing species, but
in this instance they are sunk in deep
sockets. It forages like the rest of its
genus, but avoids the light moving under
leaves and fallen branches. In crossing
an open space it constructs a covered way
under, which the procession passes. o.
The Ec5t0n ynstdt0s and the r.. err0tic0
are utterly blind, and travel wholly upon
covered roads, quickly thrown up as the
column advances. The grains of earth
forming the arched roof of their passages
are not cemented, but hold together in a
surprising manner. Mr.. Bates states that
he has traced these arcades for distance
Of 100 or 200 yards. When in the course
Of their route these blind engineers reach
a promising hunting ground, they stop to
ravage it, and then pass on, erecting a
cover for their columns as they laboriously
advance. Chicago Tribune.