Note 8 — CHAP. I. THE ARCHITECTURE OF ANTS.

I have often been surprised at the ingenuity of these little creatures, in availing themselves of contiguous blades of grass, stalks of corn, &c., when they wish to enlarge the boundaries of their abode. As these are usually met with in the erect position, they are admirably calculated for pillars; they, therefore coat them over with a fine paste of earth, giving them, by additional layers, the solidity they judge necessary for the work on which they are engaged: they then leave them to be consolidated by the wind, and afterwards spring a number of arches, from pillar to pillar, and thus form an extensive saloon. Should they be, at any time, in want of small apartments, they have only to prepare a quantity of moistened earth, and by placing this between the pillars, and carrying it up to the roof, leaving here and there an aperture for entrance, their object is completely attained.—T.