"At another time Mr. Huber broke one of the ant-hills of these legionaries, to see how they would act, and in doing it, he, of course, altered their galleries and chambers. The legionaries seemed to be lost, and went wandering about, without knowing where to go; but the negro ants appeared to understand very well where they were: they could find such of the galleries as were not broken, and would take up the legionaries in their mouths and carry them into them. If the negro sometimes seemed for a short time to be lost, and not to know where it was, it laid down its master, ran round and examined until it knew, and then would come back, and pick up the legionary ant, and carry it off. In one case Mr. Huber saw that the entrance to a gallery was stopped up by a small lump of earth; the negro ant laid his master down, took away the piece of earth, and then carried him in." "Why, these poor negro ants are sensible as well as faithful, Uncle Philip." "Yes, boys, they are so; and I think it is likely that both kinds depend in some way upon each other, but we have not yet found all about it. I expect that in some things the legionary does for the negro ant what it could not do for itself. God has made them necessary to each other, and this is the reason they live together so kindly. "But I think it is time now to leave the ants, and go back to our business of seeking for something like man's inventions and tools among the lower animals. Perhaps hereafter I may tell you more about ants; but at present I must bid you good morning." "Good morning, Uncle Philip." CONVERSATION XIII. _Uncle Philip and the Boys make a Voyage, and he tells them of 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._ "Well, boys, I have a most delightful plan for us to-day." "What is it, what is it, Uncle Philip?" "Why, I have a little voyage to make, and my boat is on the river just above the mill. I have the men there to row it, and every thing is ready." "Oh! dear Uncle Philip, this is charming! we shall be so happy! But--but--" "But what, boys?" "Why, Uncle Philip, we have not asked leave at home. Now our parents are very happy to have us visit you, and say that they are very much obliged to you for telling us so many things; but they have told us, too, never to get into a boat without asking their permission first. Uncle Philip, we are sure they will let us go, if they know that you are going; only let us run home and ask them."