404 FETCH : 



of it, but that can only be availabk- for a siiort time. I liave 

 not been able to detect the remains of wood in the excrement, 

 either in the comb or the external structure. 



Apparently, the chief use of the chimney of the mound- 

 building species is to afford the winged insects a means of exit 

 which can be easily controlled. ^Vhen the time of " swarming" 

 approaches, the workers build up the mouths of the chimneys 

 until they become mere slits, just broad enough to allow the 

 winged insects to creep out. These slits are guarded by the 

 soldiers, who only permit a few of the males and females to 

 re-enter after their nuptial flight is over. The workers then 

 seal up the entrances completely with earth, and so prevent 

 the return of the others. It is possible that the external 

 structure of the black termite nest may serve a similar purpose, 

 but until the flight has been observed this must be regarded 

 •as a suggestion only. 



The Procession. 



Perhaps the most striking feature in the economy of the 

 l»lack termite is the organized procession which regularly sets 

 out in search of food. Such foraging expeditions are, no doubt, 

 also undertaken by the subterranean species ; but while the 

 latter proceed underground and are not noticed, the procession 

 of the black termite is entirely above ground. A black ribbon, 

 about three quarters of an inch in width, numbering thousands 

 of insects, extends from the nest to the feeding ground, often for 

 a distance of about fifty yards. The individuals in the proces- 

 sion are all workers, usually about six abreast, but sometimes 

 ten. while the soldiers stand at intervals, at right angles to 

 the moving mass, ready to ward ofif the attacks of enemies. 



At Peradcniya the procession sets out between 4 and f) in 

 the cvcriiug. and und(>r normal conditioiis all the insects have 

 returned to the ne.st by 9 o'clock the following morning. These 

 times are no dou])t subject to variation in diiferent localities, 

 and Dr. Bugjiion in his first paper has recorded that at Amba- 

 jangodu, in the lowTCOuntry of Ceylon, he has observed them 

 HOt out in one case at 7 in the evening and in another between 

 2 and 'i in 111*' morning, while the return was concluded 

 lK"twe<'n 10 and 11 in the morning. In his second j)aper, 

 l>r. Kngnioii has rrcc.rfled an extensive^ series of oliservations on 



