198 PETCH : THE KI'Ni.l 



Earth from a newly built addition to a nest, taken 

 when the termites nnv building, lost 265 per cent, of 

 its weight in drying over sulphuric acid. This was in the 

 dry season. In many cases more moisture than this is 

 present, e.g., in a wall newly built in an exposed underground 

 chamber. 



The process of building varies, apparently with the nature 

 of the work to be constructed. In the early stages of mound 

 building, when the work is carried on more or less on the level . 

 small pillars are built about a centimetre high and the same 

 distance apart. A partial roof is then constructed from pillar 

 to pillar and the work commences again on this new foundation. 

 The new structure bears at first an exact resemblance to the 

 comb, which is probably built in the same way. When work 

 ceases a continuous roof is built, and the spaces between the 

 pillars are subsequently filled in so as to make a solid mass 

 of earth. In making new chambers in the hill this mass is 

 re-excavated. 



In making additions to a hill the termites emerge from a 

 hole purposely made in the side and proceed to build small 

 overlapping dome-shaped cells. These cells are not complete, 

 and the arrangement is not at first Bight very obvious : they 

 are afterwards filled up with earth. In repairing a wall or 

 building a chimney the work is often solid from the beginning. 

 When combs are left exposed they are usually enclosed, at 

 ' temporarily, by a close-fitting layer of earth, though 

 - have been observed where the new covering was sup- 

 ported by pillars resting on the comb. 



The OOmbfl exposed in the nest figured on PI. VI. were all 

 enclosed within three hours. The covering was then only a 

 thin layer resting OH the combs. This was afterwards 

 strengthened by the addition Of fresh material externally. 



and the inner layers of the new walls were removed, so 



that the comb n lay tree in the ohambers. In some 



bhe temporary trail vras abandoned and a new one 



with the general surface of the section. 



