OBSKRTATIONS ON SOME SOUTH AFIilCAN TERMETPJS. o31 



experienced in determining the material collected during the 

 period mentioned, it has not been possible to include all the 

 observations made ; these it is hoped to deal with at some 

 futui-e date. 



African termites having been described somewhat inade- 

 quately, as a whole, and for the most part in foreign 

 languages, the opportunity has been taken to redescribe the 

 soldier caste of some species discussed, and to furnish some 

 comment upon the geoieral characteristics of each. 



As far as possible those speculations, which the study of 

 termite-nature excites in every observer, have been avoided ; 

 here and there, however, the temptation to speculate has been 

 too great to overcome. 



For the sake of completeness, some observations made by 

 others are repeated ; these are chiefly derived from the 

 Haviland notes (1) or Dr. Sjostedt's monograph (2), and the 

 context indicates whether or not they have been confirmed. 

 The opportunity is also taken to correct some misapprehen- 

 sions the author was under in writing his notes, " White Ants 

 in Natal" (3). 



II. THE ABUNDANCE OF TEEMITES. 



Owing to the fact that a number of South African species 

 are to a great extent subterranean in their hal)its, little idea 

 exists as to the great abundance of termites in general. This 

 abundance may not be widespread, but it may be said of 

 many parts of the country that the soil teems with termites. 

 In some parts many species are found whose subways interlace 

 without anastomosing, and all find sustenance in the same 

 pastures. Where, in other parts, kinds are fewer, at least 

 one sort tends to be particularly abundant. Again, upon the 

 rock-sti-ewn hills and mountain-sides a number of species, 

 making their nests under stones, find a congenial environ- 

 ment. 



As only a few points in the Union have been at all explored 

 VOL. 3, PART 2. 23 



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