OBSERVATIONS ON SOME SOUTH AFRICAN TERMITES. 393 



represents but little more than the earth removed to form 

 the cavity, and in many cases not as much. 



Although in most nests, examined somewhat cursorily, no 

 supplementary fung-us-gardens were noticed, such were 

 certainly present in the one discovered by accident in 

 Pretoria. 



Termes incertus Hcujen. PI. XXIX, figs. 9-10 ; 

 PI. XXXI, figs. 4-5. 



The Haviland notes give the followino- account of the nest 

 of T. incertus. 



" This species generally forms its nest in the nests of the large 

 species of fungus-growers, but it is sometimes found independently. 

 In the latter case the nest may occur at a variable depth below the 

 surface, from a few inches to several feet. Owing to the freedom with 

 which kings and queens wander about when the nest is opened, it is 

 difficult to determine how many there are in a colony or what are the 

 limits of a colony. Occasionally three or four queens are found not far 

 apart ; kings are less often found." 



This account rather tends to convey the impression that 

 T. incertus prefers to nest in the matrix of the masonry 

 mounds of fungus-growing termites and only occasionally to 

 make nests independent of mounds. Far from this being the 

 case it may be said, with a great deal of assurance, that wher- 

 ever this species abounds it is just as common to the surround- 

 ing soil as to any mound present. The masonry mounds, 

 however, undoubtedly provide congenial quarters, as very 

 few indeed are not riddled by i n c e r t u s . What is remarkable 

 is that the larger termites tolerate their presence ; that they 

 do so can only be because the presence of the smaller species 

 and its tunnellings make no difference to the actual purpose of 

 the mound. 



When incertus lives in the mound of another species, 

 owing to the narrowness of the parts inhabited, its galleries are 

 tortuous and no definite plan can be recognised. Nests in 

 the field, however, although intricate, do present a general 



