THE HABITS OF CALIFORNIA TERMITES. 



53 



After their short flight the wings are almost immediately shed 

 and the greater number of individuals pair, the male following 

 immediately behind the female. According to Grassi (Blanford's 

 translation, f. <r.), " the one in front attempts to run away from the 

 other, which pursues it and palpitates the extremity of its abdomen, 

 and sometimes the sides as well. ... I believe that the meaning 

 of these supposed amorous displays is entirely different from that 

 usually assigned to them, and that the pursuer wishes to solicit 

 the dejecta from the one pursued." 



. i. 



FIG. I. Primary queens of (A) Tenncs htcifugus, eight months old, >( 14 ; ( B] 

 Calotermes castaneiu, probably not less than four years old, X 9- 



This may be the correct explanation, but there are some facts 

 that throw much doubt upon it. In the first place no food is 

 taken by the perfect insect from the time of its last molt until the 

 work of excavation has commenced and dissections show the 

 alimentary canal to be almost empty. Secondly when one termite 



