Page:An Account of English Ants (Gould, 1747, IA accountofenglish00goul).pdf/39

Rh It may be added that Ants are extremely careful to keep their Apartments clean. They remove all Rubbih, or what ele might prove incommodious or offenive. As oon as one of their Fraternity dies, it is carried out of the Settlement and thrown upon the Ground without Ceremony or Rites of a Funeral. Pliny informs us that the Ants of his Country are wont to bury their Dead, which is a Curioity not imitated by ours in England.

There remains a remarkable Exception to be mentioned with regard to the Ants retiring downwards. If the Autumnal and Winter Months, are more than ordinary wet, they are obliged to keep above or near the Center of the Colonies. Immoderate Rains are apt to fill Part of the ubterraneous Channels, and oak into the lower Cells, which, like o many little Citerns, retain the Moiture, and prevent the Ants from inhabiting them. We may hence dicern the happy Formation of Mole-hills for the Advantage of thee Inects. Their riising above the level protects Rh