258 CLAUDE FULLER. 



(7) Asymmetrical Antennae. 



The antennpe of the two sides are quite commonly asymme- 

 trical in minor features which do not call for special comment. 

 Not infrequently with certain species a difference occurs 

 which does not extend beyond the degree to which a given 

 articulation is suppressed in one and not in another. In one 

 organ the suppression is complete, and leads to a compound 

 joint of simple appearance, whilst in tlie companion organ 

 the joint may be bilocular with or without a pseudo-articu- 

 lation, or the articulation may be normal. Although such 

 differences indicate an asymmetrical development it does not 

 necessarily result from any deep-seated influence. 



With certain soldiers the difference between pairs is funda- 

 mental, one organ being of more joints than its companion, 

 because it has grown for a longer period. Marked as such 

 differences are, they do not extend to other external parts. 

 It occurs to me that these marked cases may be traced to un 

 asymmetrical atrophy of the reproductive organs, just as the 

 difference in size as between majors and minors may be traced 

 to the quicker or slower degeneracy thereof. 



(8) Polymorphism. 



There may be said to be two orthodox views regarding 

 polymorphism among termites. The one is that the caste is 

 predetermined in ovo, and we understand this phenomenon 

 as little or as much as we are content to understand the 

 predetermined diff^erence between male and female. The 

 other view is that the infertile soldiers and workers have 

 their cause in the quality and quantity of food supplied to 

 the developing individuals. This theory arises because it 

 has come to be regarded as actually true that all termites 

 feed their young. It premises all the larvfe as potential 

 males or females ; but from the many only a few become 

 sexually mature because the majority are so treated that the}' 

 undergo an abridged development, and of those undergoing 



