and interesting study, or a means by which some of nature's unvarying laws may be explained and better understood; or they may form a basis upon which a grand and noble science may be raised. Everything was created for some definite purpose; we ought not to dispise any created object, although we may not be able to perceive its purpose or influence, still we may rest assured that some law or lesson is therein represented which close investigation may elucidate

The ant is considered by many to be a useless and insignificant insect, a pest; this antipathy in some respects is natural and in many instances unchangable, for in truth they are very annoying little creatures. This insect is found in almost, if not in every clime, but the largest specimens and the greatest varieties are to be found in the Torrid and South temperate zones, where the climate is more congenial to them, being warm and free from frost. Nevertheless the rainy season occasions many difficulties, which are in a great degree overcome by the manner in which their earthen abodes are constructed.

During a residence of six years in Brazil, many opportunities were presented to the writer for noting many and varied species of ants, and of observing their habits. Although young at the time, great interest was taken in watching their movements.

This little despicable insect has many curious habits and ways, which many maynot have had the opportunity of observing, and which the writer will strive to portray.

The ants of Brazil are of many varieties, principal among which are the red, black, white and brown ants. The red ant :-This is by far the largest and most destructive, sometimes attaining to the size of six-sevenths to seven-eights of an inch. With all its destructive qualities it nevertheless has redeeming ones. The houses or hills of this ant are large and well constructed, generally an elevated piece of ground is chosen for building. They seem to build first many small mounds or citadels as a scaffold upon which to construct the dome or final habitation. The interior of these ant hills is a labyrinth of cells, galleries and under-ground passages leading in all directions. Some hills which the writer noticed were four to six feet high and over fifteen feet in diameter; many cubic yards of earth are packed grain by grain in these mounds, but so numerous are the workers these hills are constructed in an incredibly short

time. The outside is finally covered with pebbles, some even as large as peas. This ant is possessed of wonderful strength; the writer has noticed them carry sticks ten times their length and pebbles larger than peas. If man were endowed with the strength in proportion to his size, Samson and his herculean exploits would soon pass into oblivion.

This species of ant admits of three divisions: workers, soldiers and perfected ants or rulers. Nature in this case believes in a monarchial form of government, the perfected ants ruling the kingdom and only abdicating in favor of their descendants.

The perfected ant obtains wings which enables it to cross water and found new settlements, the air is sometimes dense with them and the ground literally covered, its wings are only capable of supporting it for a short period. Much amusement can be occasioned by dressing them in stiff muslin ; it quite humanizes them; unable to upset themselves, running around is all they can do.

Some naturalists claim that the ant is not distructive to corn and other crops, but that it is entirely carnivorous; allow the writer to state here that this opinion or theory is erronious relative to the red ant of Brazil; it is both herbivorous and carnivorous; one fact will suffice to prove this. My father was awakened one night by a continual tip, tip, he could not imagine what produced it, resolving to satisfy himself he proceeded in the direction of the sound, having previously procured a light, and discovered it to have been occasioned by the dropping of corn on the floor from a corn bin, the lid of which had been carelessly left up. Some stray ant no doubt discovered it and informed the others which had come in vast numbers, some entered the bin and dropped the corn to the others who carried it to their hill, a stream of corn at least six inches wide was leaving the bin and emptying itself into the entrace one hundred feet from the house, which was discovered to be nearly an inch in diameter. This corn was certainly not taken for building purposes, far from it, they were storing away food for the rainy season. Men are employed on the fayendas or plantations for the purpose of exterminating these ants. The work of extermination is performed in this manner, a bellows and a quantity of sulphur is procured, an ant entrance is found, the hole is enlarged sufficiently to admit the nozel of the bellows, the sulphur is ignited and the vapor and smoke is forced by the bellows into and along the entrance to the

hill or hills, the sulphur suffocating the unconscious inhabitants. Smoke has been noticed to rise from the ground a quarter to a half a mile from the place it was forced in, and even under water, which shows that the ground must be a net work of these passages. The ant is noted for its industry; they never give up anything they attempt, their mounds may be destroyed but build them they will in spite of all your efforts to the contrary.

Many other curious facts about these ants would the writer like to relate, but time and space do not permit him.

The black ant :-The habits and ways of this ant greatly resemble those of the red ant. Its hills are not so large, but the construction is materially the same. It is smaller and more ferocious than the red ant, and as far as the writer was able to ascertain car-' nivorous. It has very few bad traits and by the natives is considered to be a friend. Once a year and sometimes oftener, this ant makes a raid on your house; you are actually forced to vacate the premises; they do no harm but a vast amount of good. The cause of the raid is the vermin and common household pests unavoidable in this region. Cockroaches, wood-bugs, &c., are greedily devoured by these voracious exterminators, rats even are attacked and overcome. Their sting or bite is very poisonous which undoubtedly accounts for the quick manner in which their victims are dispatched. Nothing obnoxious is left behind, and most strange to relate, nothing is touched or disturbed, not even sugar.

The white ant or cutter :-This species is larger and more strongly proportioned than the black ant. Like the red species it admits of three divisions, workers, fighters, and rulers. It also builds large and commodious hills; the construction greatly resembling that of the red ant. They are very numerous and often attack things which we would not wish to have injured, still they destroy decayed trees and substances which only encumber the earth; in this respect they may be said to be useful. They are necessary in hot climates for the consumption of putrescent animal matter, which if not consumed might engender disease. In some parts of the world this ant is eaten and is considered by some connoisseurs to be far more delicious than the caviare of the European epicure. The last to be mentioned is the brown ant. It is very small and delicately fashioned. Does not construct mounds, but throws up an embankment surrounding the entrance to its earthen abode. These

ants are the most annoying, for they are continually getting ir.to everything; all exposed sacharine matter is always sure to be covered with them. They greatly resemble our common brown ant. Their bite is very painful as the writer can attest from experience. How true is the Proverb of Solomon, "Go to the ant thou slug. gard, consider her ways and be wise," Prov. 6th chapter, 6th verse. What better example of industry do we want. How faithful to everything they undertake; no idlers are allowed in their kingdom. What a great lesson is taught by this insignificant insect. The ant is indeed a study in itself. Much time could be profitably spent in scientifically examining this neglected insect. Its structure is a marvel; the parts so delicately yet so strongly made, and so well adapted to perform each office. Its habits and everything appertaining to it would certainly make an interesting and profitable work. Anticipating that such will be the case ere long, the writer has offered these few facts concerning the ants of Brazil.

THE OLD BELL.

BY IKE KARR.

The regular strokes of the bell in the tower announces the hour of prayers. Students crowd in and about the Chapel doors, and finally all occupy their respective seats in class order. Silence, which is the boast of Lafayette's sacred services, reigns over this assemblage of young men. The officiating Parson performs his sacred duties. The routine of the day has been strictly observed. Class after class leaves the sacred place quietly and in order. Who can forget the rights and duties of college life? Who has other constellations of life more bright? Who can help looking back to Lafayette without the keenest feelings of pleasure and delight? All find a sweet fascination about the old place, and what will remind one more of these our dearest memorials than the clear strokes of the old college bell? We have completely outgrown our Freshman verdancy and youthful notions, and stand before the world finished A. B's.

Real working life is grinning hard at us, and how crude are we in the conflict. No longer does the old bell call us to our daily task, and as we sit here within walls covered with volumes of legal lore,

over us.

within sound range of its merry ringing peals, many a revery steals When will the struggle of life be over? When will a sensitive heart-aspiring and then despairing-be forever at rest? Why struggle? For what? A name? Thousands struggle for what one gains. When the indomitable will wins, what has it gained? All is unsatisfactory, all evanescent, all dying away. Does an adequate reward follow mental toil? Does labor dull the excessive pain of thought? Is it more than a narcotic? We all aspire as others aspired before us, and do we over-tax the brain and become weary ? Listen to the echo of your own reply. That effort which brings not some new production is soon forgotten. Few win an immortal name-very few. Human production sinks into oblivion, towers crumble into a gradual ruin, and where once the sandaled feet of the ancient heroes trod the marble halls, natures beautiful green mantle is spread. Our nation's noble foundation is adamant, built by men who used material such as modern effort has not yet shown; yet these men are dead to the masses, remembered only by the aged, who too shall die ere long and be forgotten. They cultivated the habit of toil, and a rich and plentiful harvest rewarded their efforts, which to-day is looked up to as the grandest, the noblest of human institutions, and although their names may sink into obscurity, the American Government will live! Hark! The old bell is ringing! and to hear it at this hour recalls that season of new life in our Freshman year, when students and professors, the learner and the learned came together, and prayed vehemently for life. For life to honor God, for life to benefit humanity, for life to aid the strugling and meretorious, for aid and strength in life to make our institution a place of learning for upright men. Never, no never, do we believe shall there be such another renewal of sacred trusts imposed. Even the infidel and religious scoffer held his peace and listened to the divine teachings expounded in those ever memorial meetings. A week's devotion brought many at length to the threshold of spiritual freedom, which lies always at that place where men ignore sacred things, and look upon the countenance of God and His Christ. Memory tells us that the old bell is tolling, and this was not the first time that the fiery breath of the Angel Death had traversed the halls of our Alma Mater. But a precious soul passed upward, and a new name was registered in the eternal home, and sweeter music than the harmonies of earth swelled on celestial in