536 



THE WHITE ANTS. 



ten or twelve feet above the Burface of the ground',) are neari j ol a 

 conic-al shape; and sometimes so numerous, as at a little distniice to 

 •ppear like villages of' the negroes. Jobson in his historj of Gambia, 

 says, that some of them are twenty feet high, and that he and his 

 Companions liave often hicJden themselves behind them., for the pur- 

 pose of shooting Dee/ and other wild animals. Eaeh hill is com- 

 jfyjse^ of an exterior aa^ an inteyior part. The exteritwr cover is a large 



elay shell, shaped like a dome, of strength aad magnitude sufficient 

 lo enclose aiad protest the insterior biiild'ing from the injuries of the 

 wea^hen, and to defend its nuaaerous ie^haSitaBts from the attaicks of 

 ftatural' or accidental eneHaies. 



When a breach is maiie, by an axe or other instrtameat, in any of 

 Ihe walls, the first object that attracts attention, is the' behaviour of 

 Jie soldiers or fighting insects. Immediately after the blow is given, 

 & soldier comes oat, v/alks- about the breachy and seems to examiing 



