AN ANTS' FUNERAL.

Evening Post, Volume XLVII, Issue 88, 14 April 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

AN ANTS' FUNERAL.

♦ " I saw a number of ants surrounding the dead ones. I determined to watch, their proceedings closely. I followed four or five that started off from the rest towards a hillocfc a short distance off, in which was an ant's nest. This they entered, and in about five minutes they reappeared, followed by others. All fell into rank, walking regularly and slowly, two by two, until they arrived at the spot where lay the •dead bodieß of the soldier ants. In a few minutes two of the ants advanced and took up the dead body of one of their comrades ; then two others, and bo on until all were ready to march. First walked two ants bearing a body, then two without a burden, then two others with another dead ant, and so on until the line extended to about forty pairs ; and the procession now moved slowly onward, followed by an irregular body of about 200 ants Occasionally the two laden ants stopped, and, laying down the dead ant, it was taken up by the two walking unburdened behind them ; and thus by occasionally relieving each other they arrived at a sandy spot near the sea. The body of ants now commenced digging with their jaws a number of holes in the ground, into each of which a dead ant was laid. They now laboured on until they filled Up the ants' graves. This did not quite finish the remarkable circumstances attending thoir funeral. Some six or seven of the ants had attempted to run off without performing their share of \ be tatk of digging. These were caught and brought back, when they were at once attacked by the body of the ants and killed upon the spot. A single grave was quickly dug, and they were all dropped into it."