Of Pismires and Ants.
NEither truly is the industry, diligence, and experience of the Pismire less worthy of admira∣tion, than that of the Bees. Insomuch, as that Solomon bids the sluggard to take an example of diligence from the Pismire. Truly, if experience did not witness it, it would seem incredible, that so small a creature should be able to store up such abundance of corn, to dispose and manage her affairs in that good order that we see she doth. Pliny saith, that they have among them the form of a well-govern'd and well-order'd Common-weal. For how pretty a sight is it to see them, when they seise upon a grain they have a mind to carry away, how they set to it, and lift it with head and shoulders. And how, lest the corn which they carry to their Store-house, should put forth and grow, they bite it at one end. If it be so bigg that they cannot carry it into their little hole, they divide it in the middle. If it be dampish, they lay it out to dry in the Sun and open Air. When the Moon is at the full, they follow their work in the night; when she doth not shine, they take their rest, whereby they shew themselves to have some knowledg of heavenly things. Pliny af∣firmeth that they have their set Fairs and Markets, whither they come in great companies, and where they use to establish leagues of amity and friendship one with another. And when one marks them well, would he not think that they were in conference one with another, and that they did discourse among themselves of their business? Do we not see that the often trampling of their little feet, doth wear a path even upon hard flint stones?
From whence we may note, what in all kind of things is the affect of assiduity. They say also that they perform the rites of burial one unto another, after the manner of men. What words shall I use (saith Plutarch) to express sufficiently the diligence and industry of the Pismires? There is not among all the great things in nature, a sight of greater wonder than these: For in the Pis∣mires are seen the marks of all vertues. Their great meetings argue that they maintain a kind of friendship.
Their alacrity in the undergoing of their labors, seem to shew their fortitude and magnanimi∣ty; and lastly, they are eminent examples of temperance, providence, and justice. Their mutual charity appeareth in this, that, if one of them that is not loaden meets another (in one of their narrow paths) that is, he will give him the way, that he may the better go on in his intended journey. They say, that the first entrance into their hole, is not streight, but full of many di∣verticles and crooked paths, which in the end, will bring you to three little cels: in one of which they have their conventicles; in the other, they lay up their provisions; and in the third they bury the carkasses of their dead. This doth Plutarch speak concerning Pismires.