358 CLAUDE FULLER. 



Ijeen severed from the ])ody. I thought this was due to the ' witgat 

 spreuw,' because bird excrement was found near and amongst the dead 

 termites. On one occasion a flock of these birds was seen in the field, 

 and on reaching the spot where they were evidently feeding numerous 

 dead and mangled tei"mites were found and fresh bird excrement as 

 well. I was, however, told by Dr. Peringuey that this destruction of 

 termites was very likely due to a small beetle (Monoplius inf latus), 

 as he had previously observed a similar state of affairs.^ Upon in- 

 vestigation I found many beetles and larvae in the affected colonies 

 among the termite excreta. There are two kinds of beetles (identified 

 as Monoj)lius a^niulator and M . se gill at us), and they are possibly 

 attracted by the termite excreta. I have not yet succeeded in obtaining 

 any proof that they destroy the termites. I have confined termites with, 

 Monoplius, but the one does not disturb the other ; the termites die 

 off with no evidence of death from bites. 



" In those colonies where the termites are all healthy and busily 

 gathering cut leaves, etc., none of the fine, black pellets mentioned 

 above are to be found." 



Ill a recent coniniuiiication under date of January lltli, 

 1915, Mr. Petty adds the following. 



" As regards Monoplius beetles. I may say that further observations 

 led to finding them in small colonies among termite excreta where no 

 dead termites were present. I have found dead termites among the 

 excreta where no beetles were present. Without a doubt H. viator 

 has the habit of removing dead termites from underground through 

 burrows at the surface, since I have found dead ones brought out by 

 living ones. The ' witgat spreuw ' kills and eats this termite. 



" You may be interested to know that along roadsides with sloping- 

 banks in this district, H . viator makes simple oi3enings on the face of 

 the bank, without projecting tubes, and discharges the fine, black particles 

 (excreta) together with peculiar flat, black pellets. These roll down the 

 l)ank and accumulate ; in some places as much as a bushel may be 

 seen. Evidently no projecting tube is made in these cases because it is 

 not required." 



Caloterines durbanensis Hav. PI. XXV, fig. 1. 



There is evidence to show that this species occurs very 

 generally along the coast of Natal. According to the Havi- 



' L. Peringuey, "Note on le Gen. Monoplius," 'Ann. de la Soc. Ent. 

 France,' Ixx, 1901. 



