the Makololo.

Walking down to the forest, after telling these poor people, for the
first time in their lives, that the Son of God had so loved them as to
come down from heaven to save them, I observed many regiments of black
soldier-ants returning from their marauding expeditions. These I have
often noticed before in different parts of the country; and as we had,
even at Kolobeng, an opportunity of observing their habits, I may give a
short account of them here. They are black, with a slight tinge of gray,
about half an inch in length, and on the line of march appear three or
four abreast; when disturbed, they utter a distinct hissing or chirping
sound. They follow a few leaders who never carry any thing, and they
seem to be guided by a scent left on the path by the leaders; for,
happening once to throw the water from my basin behind a bush where
I was dressing, it lighted on the path by which a regiment had passed
before I began my toilette, and when they returned they were totally
at a loss to find the way home, though they continued searching for
it nearly half an hour. It was found only by one making a long circuit
round the wetted spot. The scent may have indicated also the propriety
of their going in one direction only. If a handful of earth is thrown
on the path at the middle of the regiment, either on its way home or
abroad, those behind it are completely at a loss as to their farther
progress. Whatever it may be that guides them, they seem only to know
that they are not to return, for they come up to the handful of earth,
but will not cross it, though not a quarter of an inch high. They wheel
round and regain their path again, but never think of retreating to the
nest, or to the place where they have been stealing. After a quarter of
an hour's confusion and hissing, one may make a circuit of a foot round
the earth, and soon all follow in that roundabout way. When on their
way to attack the abode of the white ants, the latter may be observed
rushing about in a state of great perturbation. The black leaders,
distinguished from the rest by their greater size, especially in the
region of the sting, then seize the white ants one by one, and inflict
a sting, which seems to inject a portion of fluid similar in effect to
chloroform, as it renders them insensible, but not dead, and only able
to move one or two front legs. As the leaders toss them on one side, the
rank and file seize them and carry them off.

One morni