TERMES. 
415 
deed every way between the Tropics so deemed, 
from the vast damages they cause, and the losses 
M'hich are experienced in consequence of their 
eating and perforating wooden buildings, utensils, 
and furniture, with all kinds of household-stuff 
and merchandize, which are totally destroyed by 
them, if not timely prevented j for nothing less 
hard than metaloor stone can escape their most 
destructive jaws. 
“ They have been taken notice of by various 
travellers in different parts of the torrid zone; and 
indeed where numerous, a^s is the case in all equi- 
noctial countries and islands that are not fully 
cultivated, if a person has not been incited by 
curiositj^ to observe them, he must have been very 
fortunate who, after a short residence, has not 
been compelled to it for the safety of his propert}’’. 
“ I'hese insects have generally obtained the 
name of Ants, it may be presumed, from the si- 
milarity in their manner of living, which is, in 
large communities that erect very extraordinary 
nests, for the mostopart on the furface of the 
ground, from whence their excursions are made 
through subterraneous passages^ or covered galle- 
ries, which they build whenever necessity obliges, 
or plunder induces, them to march above ground, 
and at a great distance from their habitations carry 
on a business of depredation and destruction, 
scarce credible but to those who have seen it. 
But notwithstanding they live in communities, 
and are like the ants omnivorous; though like 
