See Herpes.

Formica minor, (quia ferat micas; because of its diligence in collecting small particles of provisions together).

Parvula (nam exemplo est) magni formica laboris.

Ore trahit quodcunque potest,atque addit acervo.

The ant, or pismire. This little insect, supposed to have greater strength in proportion to its size than the elephant, contains an acid which seems to occasion the uneasiness on our skins when they are said to have stung us. A gross oil is obtained by expression, after distilling them in water; and an essential oil arises with the acid liquor in distillation. The formic acid, obtained by distillation and washing the red ants in water, when concentrated, has a penetrating smell, and is corrosive; but its taste is so agreeable when greatly diluted with water, that it has been proposed to be used instead of vinegar.

The expressed juice of these little animals has been recommended to render baths stimulating, and employed in rheumatism; and an ant's nest bruised has been applied to the parts affected with rheumatic pains. The oil of ants has never been used. The quantity of acid to be obtained from them is nearly half their weight, and Fontana found it to approach very near the carbonic acid. See Lewis's Mat. Med. Neumann's Works.