Huber adds that, having returned to the pillaged nest to examine it more closely, he saw some ashy-black workers bringing back to their home the few larvæ which they had succeeded in saving. Having later discovered the nest of these Amazons, which is the name he gives to the warrior ants, he found there many of the ashy-black ants living on very good terms with their kidnappers. The Amazons begin their expeditions at the end of June, during the hottest hours of the day. They come out in long files, eight or ten abreast, preceded by their scouts. These columns start at a run, in a straight line, and without feeling their way. They have no chieftain. The van is re-formed every moment. Those who are in front do not remain there; at the end of a certain time they go and range themselves in the rear, and are replaced by those which were behind. The whole troop is thus in constant communication through its entire length. Rarely does the expedition divide into two bodies. Arrived under the walls of the fortress, the column halts and masses itself into one corps. The assault is made with incredible impetuosity. In the twinkling of an eye the place is escaladed, taken by storm, and pillaged, and the ashy-black ants are either put to flight or led away into captivity. The same ant-hill may be invaded as many as three times running on the same day; but then the ashy-black ants, on their guard, have barricaded themselves in, and in that case the aggressors return home without pillaging them. [Illustration: Fig. 370.--Mining Ant (_Formica cunicularia_), male, worker, and female.] The Mining Ants (Fig. 370) are less timid than the ashy-black; and, as they defend themselves with more energy, there are frequently deadly combats, and the field of battle is left covered with heads, legs, and limbs, scattered about here and there with the dead and wounded. The miners pursue the pillagers, and snatch their plunder from them. But they are sometimes driven back vigorously, and the russet ants gain their lair with the plunder.