St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-02-17
Strategy vs.. Strength.

The sand-hOrnet is the greatest vii
lain that flies on insect wings, and he
is built for IA professional murderer.
He carries two keen cimeters besides
deadly poisoned pOniard, and is armed
throughout with an invulnerable coat
of mail. He has things all his own
way; he lives a life of tyranny and
feeds on blood. There are few birds
none that | know of - that care to
swallow such Il red-hot mOrsel. 1t is
said that not even the butcher bird
bankers after him. The toad will not
touch him, seeming to know by in
stinct what sort of chain-li lightning he
contains. Among insects this hornet
is the harpy eagle, and nearly all of
them are at his mercy. Even the cica-
da, or drumming harvest fly, an insect
often larger and heavier than himself,
is his very common victim. ConSid-
ering these characteristics, it was of
especial interest to witness such ln
incident as | have here pictured, where
one of these huge tyrants was actually
captured and OverpOwered by the
strategy of three black ants.
| had left the meadow, and was as
cending IL spur of the mountain by the
edge of Il pine wood, when suddenly |
espied the hornet in question almost at
my feet. He Immediately took to
wing, and as he flew on ahead of me |
observed long pendent object dang
| ling from his body. The incumbrance
proved too great an obstacle for con
tinuous flight, and he soon dropped
again upon the path, rod or so in ad-
vance of me. overlook him, and on
close inspection discovered plucky
black ant clutching tightly with its
teeth upon the hird foot of its captive,
while with its two hind legs it clung
desperately to IA long cluster of pine
needles which it carried as Il dead
weight No sooner did the hornet
touch the ground than the ant began
to tug and yell for help. There were
certainly evidences to warrant such a
belief, for second ant Immediately
appeared upon the scene, emerging
hurriedly from a neighboring thickct
of pine tree moss. He was too late
however, for the hornet sought escape
i'll flight. But this attempt was even
more futile than the former, for that
plucky little assailant had now laid
hold of another impediment, and this
time not only the long pine needles
but small branchcd stick also, went
swinging through the air. Only yard
or so was covered III this flight and as
the ant still yelled for rre-infOrcements
its companion again appeared, and
rushed upon the common foe with sucl
furious zeal that felt like patting hin
on the back The whole significanc,
of the scene he had taken in at q
glance, and in an instant he had takeI
vise-like grip upon the other hind
leg. Now came the final tug of war
The hornet tried to rise, but this see
Ond passenger was too much for him
he could only buzz along the ground
dragging his load after him. while hi,
new assailant clutched desperately "A
even ything within its reach, now 4;
dried leaf, now tiny stone, and even
overturning an acOrn-cup i'll its grasp
Finally, "A small rough stick the size o
match was secured, and this proved
the 'last straw In vain were tn,
struggles of escape. The hornet cOulC
do no more than lift his body from thu
ground. He rolled and kicked anC
tumbled, bnt to no purpose, except t.
make it very lively for his captOrs
, and the thrusts of that lively dagge
| were wasted on the desert air, 70
whether or not those ants knew it
: searching propensities, they certainl!
managed to keep clear of this busy ex
tremity.
How long this pellmell battle wOul'
; have lasted / know not, for third an
= now appeared, and it was astonishing
to see him with every movement q
B. the hornet, he i'll turn would lay hOl