THE VICTORIAN WHITE ANT. 141 



upon this subject I would be greatly obliged. It may 

 however, arise j^artly through a defective union when 

 grafting, in which case the traces would remain, formino- 

 a commencing point on which the first attack would iS 

 all probability be made. 



It has also been found that "red deal" is less liable to 

 attack than the "white deal" and kindred timbers. 



In the dry country, so often composed of "box forests " 

 as the ruling tree vegetation, the White Ants are particu- 

 larly numerous, although in the moister districts of 

 (jippsland and elsew^here, it is no uncommon sight to see 

 the decayed earth-habitations of these insects extending; 

 for 20 feet up the trunks of our large Eucalypti, o? 

 so-called gum trees. In the drier districts the total 

 collapse of a dwelling is of no unusual occurrence. 



The White Ant, unfortunately, is very easy of intro- 

 duction ; and Mr. Morris, of Kew Gardens, London 

 informs us that a North African and South European 

 species, Termes lucifugus, was introduced into France 

 at about the end of the last century, and has now spread 

 almost everywhere at La Rochelle. Many public and 

 private institutions there are in a dangerous condition 

 and at the Prefecture the wooden beams have had to 

 be replaced by iron ones. They have destroyed part 

 of the archives, and it is found useless to attempt to 

 grow certain plants in the garden, as geraniums, &c. 

 as the ants consume the interior of the stalk. It 

 has been found almost impossible to destroy or ^et 

 rid of them. Dr. Miiller also remarked that they had 

 proved very destructive to vines in certain parts of 

 h ranee. 



This bit of information should cause us to be on our 

 guard against the probable introduction from Queensland 

 of some of the larger and more formidable species which 

 may be readily introduced in logs of timber and like 

 commodities. 



The above, then, will furnish some idea of the Hfe- 

 history and habits of this but too well-known pest, the 



