9^J PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION D. 



of Florissant, Colorado, while Termopsis, Hodotermes, Oalo- 

 termes, Termes, and Eutermcs occur in the amber and brown 

 coal of the Oligocene and Miocene of Germany and Austria. 

 It is thus clear that these still-existing genera extended much 

 further north in Tertiary times than at the present day. 



We shall consider later as to how far the past and present 

 geographical distribution of termites is likely to assist in defin- 

 ing the ancient configuration of the continental land-masses, and 

 we shall also enquire whether the general fades of the termito- 

 phile faunas of the present day is such as to throw any addi- 

 tional light on the subject. 



III. The Termitophilous Habit. 



A termitophile is a foreign organism which lives during the 

 v,hole or some portion of its life in association with termites. 

 Parasites living inside the bodies of the termites should be ex- 

 cluded from this category. 



The relationships between the termitophile and the termites 

 are various, and the structural modifications of the former are 

 likewise diverse. The termitophile may exhibit but little 

 external modification, distinguishing it from closely allied species 

 which do not live associated with termites, or the creature may 

 be so specialized that it is quite unable to live for anv length of 

 time when separated from the termites. 



From analogy with myrmecophiles it is clear that the termi- 

 tophile may be regarded with mild dislike, indifference, or with 

 various degrees of esteem by the termite-community. 



In no case can we imagine that the termite-community 

 receives any substantial advantage from the presence of termito- 

 philes, since nests which do not contain them seem quite 

 obviously to thrive quite as well or better than those containing 

 them. The benefits of the association are almost entirely on the 

 side of the termitophile which receives domicile, food, and pro- 

 tection from enemies, and accordingly the termitophilous habit 

 must be regarded as a kind of refined parasitism. 



An ordinary, permanent, or established parasite has to solve 

 the fundamental problems of: (i) obtaining access to the host, 

 (2) distributing its species, and (3) utilizing the host-species 

 in such a manner as not to exterminate it. The termitophile has 

 the additional problem of inducing the termite-community to 

 permit its presence. 



It is clear from the condition of th'e mandibles that many 

 termitophiles attack the young of the termites and suck the 

 fluids of the body, and thus should the termitophiles in a nest 

 be numerous, the community would be injured by their presence. 

 It is accordingly necessary that the termitophile should adopt 

 some means for cajoling the termite-community, since it is quite 

 obvious that no termitophile could withstand a combined attack 

 by a number of soldiers or workers. The various means adopted 

 may be now summarised: 



