122 KRNEST WARREN. 



small holes made for the purpose by the workers. After 

 flvino- for a time in the direction of the wind the female 

 settles on the ground, choosing a spot more or less clear of 

 grass. She stands with the apex of the abdomen elevated, 

 and with wings extended and vibrating. If a male be put 

 near her he runs to her abdomen; she puts her wings in the 

 position of repose and begins to run, the male following her. 

 She soon stops and sheds her Avings, first on one side and then 

 on the other, and then continues to run on. The male sheds 

 his wings in a similar manner. If the male stops she stops 

 too, with the apex of the abdomen upturned; if he still 

 lingers, she turns round to look for him. Directly he 

 approaches she begins to run again. If two males are put 

 near her they both run after her ; but she runs fast, and the 

 males get in each other's way, and soon one gets a little 

 behind and loses the track. 



The soldiers do not run away when the nest is being 

 opened, but they stand on the fungus-beds with uplifted 

 heads and threatening jaws. If one further angers a soldier 

 by breathing on it, a thick viscid red fiuid is discharged from 

 the salivary glands, and remains as a drop between the open 

 jaws. If the hand is placed in the nest the soldiers make 

 their jaAvs meet in the skin, and discharge the viscid secretion 

 over it, which causes a stain lasting for several daj's. 



The workers retire when the nest is opened. In wet 

 weather the workers may often be seen increasing the height 

 of the tubular mouths of the ventilation-shafts by means of 

 pellets of earth. 



During the damp summer weather, on turning over cow-dung 

 on the veld the workers of this species may often be seen at 

 work underneath. 



Termes vulgaris Haviland. 



Found in Natal : from the coast to an altitude of 5000 ft. or 

 more. Winged images have been caught at an altitude of 

 6000 ft. 



