t flying about them. They were ecitons, or foraging ants, of
which there are numerous species. They also came upon a bank, in their
course, in which was a nest belonging to a large species of white ant.
They forced their way in, attacked them, and dragged out the bodies of
the slain. These were cut into three or four pieces, each of which was
lifted up by an eciton and carried off.

However, a volume could be filled with accounts of the numberless ants
and termites of South America, and their curious and varied habits. One
species is quite blind; others tunnel as they go, or form ways to enable
them to make their attacks in secret. For this purpose the little
creatures will form miles of covered ways. Some build their nests of
clay in trees, and others hollow out abodes under the bark. They vary,
too, in size and form. Some are half an inch long; some white, others
red and black; some sting furiously. The ants inhabiting trees are
those which commit depredations in houses chiefly. The most annoying of
the species is the fire-ant--a little creature of a shining reddish
colour. They live in the sand, where they form subterranean galleries
covered by a sandy dome. They enter houses, and attack eatables of all
sorts. When they attack human beings they fix their jaws in the flesh,
and, doubling up their tails, sting with all their might; and a very
fearful sting it is. When we met with them we were obliged to smear the
ropes of our hammocks with balsam of _copauba_. Eatables are suspended
in baskets by ropes covered with the same balsam, and the legs of chairs
and footstools are also covered to prevent their climbing up and
stinging those sitting on them. Villages have sometimes been deserted
in consequence of the attacks of these fierce little insects. However,
they are only found on the sandy banks of the river and drier parts of
the country.

After this digression I must continue my narrative. We shot only two or
three birds, and then had to hurry back to prepare for our departure.
Our new canoe floated well, but was smaller than we could have wished.
Over the centre was an awning of palm-leaves, under which was seated
Ellen, with her black and brown attendants and her numerous pets,
surrounded by our goods and chattels. Four Indians sat in the bows to
paddle, while John and Domingos took it by turns to steer. Duppo had
especial charge of the various pets, while I was glad to be relieved
from the labo