BLACK DRIVER ANTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 548, 8 March 1913, Page 7

BLACK DRIVER ANTS.

A.FASCTNATING- WONDER OF THE AFRICAN BUSH.

One of the most fascinating won--I.°rs of Nature in the African bush -a"e the mysterious black driver ants, or termites. The workers, amongst these creatures are about a quarte'i of an inch in length, the s.oldiers half an inch, and the captains, or generals, nearly .seven-eights of an inch. I have continually watched these insects on the march, and on one occasion traced the same procession for over a mile in. length, they form up in close '.formation with marvellous precision and regularity forming a line about two inches wide. The-workirsT—t>r carrier ants, march twelve abreast, and at regular intervals a small body of three or four rows of warrior ants are embodied in the procession ; on either flank, at a*distance of six inches apart. are the captains or guards, possessing formidable nippers, held high up from the ground, ready to give fight on the slightest provocation. The procession takes the form of a long straight line, and travels at the run, straight across the country, selecting cover as much as possible. If any obstacles are encountered,they climb over them in graceful undulations ; but prior to making a march they send a pioneer force to spy out and construct a road ; this force consists of soldiers as guard, excavators,, and tunnel-making ants.

Their road engineering is remarkable.. It is marvellous how these tiny creatures surmount the obstacles, and construct tunnels under exposed portions of the road of march. I have seen a continuous tunnel a length of thirty-two feet, anl a height and breadth of about ons inch, with three air-shafts, the earth excavated being carried to its approaches and forming a bank or causeway. This work has all been carried out in one nigbt.—"Gold Coast Palaver,"