CONVERSATION IX. A Story about a Philosopher and his Kite; and about Ants that have Awls, and build Cities, and Stairs, and Bridges, and many other Things 104 CONVERSATION X. More about the white Ants 120 CONVERSATION XI. About some other Ants that are very good Masons, and build Walls and Ceilings; and a Story about a very sensible Ant which seemed to think a little 129 CONVERSATION XII. About Ants that go to War, and fight Battles; and about some that are Thieves, and have Slaves 138 CONVERSATION XIII. A Voyage; and an Animal that makes itself into a Ship; and of an Insect that builds a Boat, and floats about in a Canoe; and of another that pumps Water, and wears a Mask; and of a Spider that builds a Raft, and floats upon it 151 CONVERSATION XIV. About an Insect with Tweezers, and another with Pincers; and how a Fly's Foot is made, so as to stick to the Wall 167 CONVERSATION XV. How Hats are made; and about Animals that can make Felt like the Hatter 181 CONVERSATION XVI. About Birds that are Weavers, and the Politician Bird; a Story about some Philosophers; and what may be learned from these Conversations 202 NATURAL HISTORY. CONVERSATION I. _Uncle Philip tells the Children about a Fly that can work with a Saw and a Rasp, like the Carpenter._ "Well, boys, this is a beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly, and the birds are singing, and the insects are flying about, and the grass is green, and every thing appears pleasant, and you feel happy too, and have come, I suppose, to see old Uncle Philip." "Yes, Uncle Philip, we are tired of playing now, and so we have come to ask you to talk with us, and tell us about some of the curious things you know." "Well, boys, I will tell you about some very strange things. I will talk to you about animals that know how to work with tools like a man." "Work with tools, Uncle Philip! That is strange; but we know it is so, if you say so; because you will not tell us any stories but true ones. But where do they get the tools?" "Ah, boys, 'the hand that made them is _divine_!' They get them where we get all that is useful and good,--from God. The Bible says that He '_is wise in heart, and wonderful in working_;' and he has made many a poor little insect, and given it tools to work with for its comfort, as good and perfect as any that man can make. Yes, these poor little creatures had tools long before man had. God cares for the insects, boys, as well as for us." "But, Uncle Philip, what sort of tools do you mean? Tell us about them."