304 FETCH : 



From the above type of nest it is an easy transition to those 

 built in hol]oA\ trees or in decayed timber. In these the 

 timber, or the part of the tree trunk still ahve, takes the place 

 of the cla3^ wall, the comb being built inside it. In such nests 

 there is usually only one comb. Finally, there is the " Carton 

 nest," which is built in the open, and consists of a singfe comb 

 enclosed by a continuous laj'er, the whole constructed of the 

 same material. 



The object of the comb would appear to be merely to utilize 

 the existing space to the best advantage ; it provides a greater 

 superficial area in a given volume. In some nests, e.g., those 

 of the mound dwellers in Ce3don, the combs produce fimgi, 

 and hence have been called fungus gardens. But from the 

 literature it appears that the name " fungus garden " has been 

 extended to all structures of this type whether they produce 

 fungi or not ; and hence it is impossible to conclude from 

 published descriptions that a given termite is really a fungus 

 grower simply because its nest is said to contain "' fungus 

 gardens." The need of a term to denote all these homologous 

 structures is obvious. But they cannot be called " fungus 

 gardens," because the term has to be applied to many, e.g., 

 those of Eutermes nwnoceros, which never produce fungi. 

 Neither can they be called " nests," as is sometimes done, 

 because they are not independent units. The term " comb" 

 seems a fairl)'' suitable one, and at least does not involve the 

 errors of the others. A fungus garden, in all the cases known, 

 is a comb ; but a comb is not necessarily a fungus garden. 

 And in some cases a single comb may constitute a nest ; while, 

 on the other hand, there are nests which, according to the 

 descriptions, flo not contahi any combs. In the case of 

 termites which cultivate fungi all the combs, as far as Ceylon 

 experience goes, are fungus gardens, actual or potential. 



Early Records. 



The first record of the occurrence of fungi in termite nests 

 was made b}' Konig in 177'J. According to Wheeler, Konig 

 examined termite nests in Tanjore, and stated that the combs 

 were " covered with little knots on their outer and inner 

 surfaces, like chagrin skin. This texture is most clearly seen 



