THE ANT. 277

The food of ants varies greatly: they are fond of sugar,
gum, and all the sweet exudations of trees, but their staple
food is animal matter, either those larvee injurious to plants
and trees, or small animals whose dead bodies would taint
the air; thus, like every other living creature whose habits
are known, they are found to be beneficial to mankind, and
to the animal creation in general. Many birds use them
almost exclusively as food for their young: pheasants and
partridges seem particularly fond of them, both in their
mature and imperfect state. They are winged at one season
only, and the female soon rids herself of these appendages,
and seems inspired solely with the ambition of founding a
nation. When the supply of food begins to fail, they seek
their dwellings, and in the inmost recesses cluster together,
passing the winter-season in a state of torpor. The work-
ing ants are always wingless, and the females destitute of
a sting.

Proverbs vi. 6—“ Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider
her ways and be wise; which, having no guide, overseer,
or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth
her food in the harvest.” The common opinion concerning
ants laying up a store of corn for winter use, has arisen
from the superficial observation, of which these interesting