THeThe SMALLEST ANT or EMMET. When well grown, they are then hardly bigger than a good big Flea. In Barbados, saith Ligon, there is a larg sort of Ants, that build their Nests, with Clay and Lome, against a Wall or a Tree, as big as Bee-Hives, and divided into (a) Hist. of Barb. p. 64. several Cells. (a) Of the Ingenuity of this Insect, see divers Relations in the same Author. (b) (b) P. 63. They are exceeding numerous throughout all India. So that they are forced to set the feet of their Cupboards and Chests in Cisterns of Water to preserve their Cloaths and Victuals (c) (c) Linchot. p. 80. from them.

Of their Kinds, and Generation; as also their use for feeding of Pheasants and Partridges, see some Observations in the Phil. Trans. (d) (d) N. 23. Communicated by Dr. Edmund King. Of their Nature, some others in the same Transact. (e) (e) N. 6468. Communicated by Mr. Ray from Dr. Hulse and Mr. Fisher. The former observing, amongst other particulars, That the Liquor which they sometimes let fall from their Mouths, droping upon the blew Flowers of Cichory, immediately gives them a large red stain; and supposeth, it would produce the like in other blew Flowers. The latter, That not only the Juyce, but also the Distill'd Water or Spirit of this Insect will produce the same effect, &c. Amongst which, Mr. Ray mixeth some Notes of his own.

The Liquor of Ants is commended by Schroder (f) (f) Pharmac. for a most excellent Ophthalmick.