1S49.] 219 



base to two-thirds the height of the sides of the hill. Centrally to these, and lying 

 immediately under the floor of the " dome," was a series of cellular work, en- 

 tirely of clay, filled with a chesnut-brown substance, very moist, having the 

 appearance of rasped or gnawed wood, and other vegetable matter. These are 

 Smeathman's "magazines," and " food," which, with the nurseries, constitute 

 almost two-thirds of the contents of the structure. 



Throughout the nurseries were found young in different stages of growth ; those 

 in the external cells were smaller and mostly without rudimental wings ; those 

 in the interior cells were larger, with distinctly developed mandibles, and rudi- 

 mentary wings generally, the pupse of soldiers. The young in the interior of 

 this cellular work, with a few exceptions, were assuming the yellow color which 

 marks the head and thorax of the workers and soldiers in their perfect or active 

 state ; the exceptions were of a pure white. 



As the larger passages were opened, a strong current of warm air from within 

 was perceptible. I attempted to look down the " dome," but was compelled to 

 withdraw immediately, my respiration being affected, and the glasses of my spec- 

 tacles coated with a film of moisture ; a strong, peculiar, but not unpleasant, odor 

 was perceived. It was observed, that the deeper we penetrated, the more numer- 

 ous became the young, and the more advanced were they in growth. 



The structure called the "royal chamber" by Smeathman, was discovered in 

 position central in respect to the circumference of the hill, and about eighteen 

 inches above the surface of the ground. Around and beneath it, was a connected 

 series of clayey cellular work, in which were found the young, as before stated. 

 The chamber v/z-s of an oblong shape, rounded at the ends and sides; flattened and 

 thick above and below. It was supported on one side by two pillars, about J of 

 an inch in diameter; on the other, it was attached to the surrounding clay work. 

 I accidentally broke open the enclosure, being misled by the statement of Smeath- 

 man, that it was situated on a level with the surface of the ground. The queen 

 was discovered, surrounded by a large number of the larger laborers, a few sol- 

 diers, and some of the more advanced pupae, all of whom were running rapidly 

 round her, manifesting the greatest perturbation. The queen made great efforts at 

 progression, constantly turning her head and thorax from side to side, but without 

 moving in the least her huge abdomen. Her whole length was 4^ inches. The 

 kin" evidently in great alarm, made repeated efforts to conceal himself under the 

 abdominal folds of his consort. 



On examining further the " royal chamber," a wide cavity was observed run- 

 ning horizontally along the upper part, or roof, externally, but without any signs 

 of communication with the interior. On the under surface of the roof, or ceiling, 

 is a long depression, corresponding in shape to the body of the queen, which gives 

 her that freedom of motion necessary to the extension of her eggs. This motion 

 is compound, first in a longitudinal, then transverse direction, alternately elonga- 

 ting, contracting and widening her body, being marked with short, thick, trans- 

 verse bands, the skin is thrown into folds, while these bands operate as so many 

 fixed points, or centres of muscular action, forcing the eggs through their ducts 



to the place of exit. 



For sometime after exposure, the queen continued (he expulsion of her eggs, 



but, not as I am inclined to think, to the usual extent. They were white and 

 very minute, and left untouched by the workers, who evidently continued in a 

 state of the greatest alarm. 



The floor of the chamber was perfectly plane and smooth, exhibiting not the 

 slightest impression from the body of the queen. The roof in the centre was 



