signed by Providence to destroy the excess of animal life which
in the nature of things would be brought forth, with little or no
destruction without them; and although much is said about their
attacking persons, I will venture the opinion that there is not one of
these attacks a person to every ten thousand musquitoes in America, as
it is only by chance, and _not by search after it_, that drivers attack
persons.

How They Travel

They usually go in search of food in narrow rows, say from half an inch
to a hand's breadth, as swiftly as a running stream of water, and may in
their search enter a house in their course--if nothing attract them
around it--when, in such cases, they spread over the floor, walls, and
ceiling; and finding no insect or creeping thing to destroy, they gather
again on the floor, and leave the premises in the regular order in which
they entered. Should they encounter a person when on these excursions,
though in bed, does he but lie still and not disturb them, the
good-hearted negro insects will even pass over the person without harm
or molestation; but, if disturbed, they will retaliate by a sting as
readily as a bee when the hive is disturbed, though their sting, so far
from being either dangerous or severe, is simply like the severe sting
of a musquito. An aged missionary gentleman, of twenty-five years'
experience, informed me that an entire myriad (this term is given to a
multitude of drivers, as their number can never be less than ten
thousand--and I am sure that I have seen as many millions together)
passed over him one night in bed, without one stinging him. Indeed, both
the black and white ants are quite harmless as to personal injury, and
very beneficial in a sanitary point.

How to Drive Them Out of the Houses

There is much more in the imagination than the reality about these
things; and one important fact I must not omit, that, however great the
number of drivers, a simple _light set in the middle of the floor_ will
clear the room of them in ten minutes. In this case they do not form in
column, but go out in hasty confusion, each effecting as quick retreat
and safe escape for himself as possible, forming their line of march
outside of the house, where they meet from all quarters of their points
of escape.

How to Destroy Them

_Chloride of sodium_ or common salt (fine), slightly damped, will
entirely destroy the termites; and _acetum_ or vinegar, or _acetic acid_
either, wi