Page:An Account of English Ants (Gould, 1747, IA accountofenglish00goul).pdf/36

14 can more conveniently pas to and fro at the ame Time. The Water ooner drains off, and mall Particles of Dut, with other Obtructions, cannot o eaily fill up the Spaces. The Smoothnes is alo more commodious to the Tendernes of the Young, which they frequently carry from one Lodgment to another. Mot of thee Channels terminate in Cells, except the direct ones, which go through the whole Colony, and dicharge the Water at the Bottom. The other Paages erve as o many Entries to different Apartments, and on Examination appear to be only Branches of the large and direct Channels; which hews the exact Contrivance of the Ants, or how nicely Providence hath proportioned their Reaon to their State: For by this means the Exces of Water, or other Impediment, is contantly avoided, and o no ways incommodes the Ants themelves, or their growing Poterity.

We cannot les admire the Texture of their Cells. As the Ants lie together in Cluters, and dipoe of the Eggs and many of the Young in the like manner, an oval Figure is the mot convenient for this purpoe, and uch is the Structure of many of their Apartments. A Square, a Circle, or