413 



walk'd up. If a small one, only a single worker was occupied 

 on it at the same time. Such a hole, which had been nearly 

 walled up, was reopened by one of their number, the newly made 

 barrier broken down, and the materials scattered about, for no 

 obvious reason. 



On the 21st of September, during a storm, the walls at the 

 entrance of the excavation fell in, exposing the top of the nest, 

 which was about three inches below the inlet. Five or six work- 

 ers at once commenced repairing the injury wdth material brought 

 from the excavation. Each builder, as he came out with a pel- 

 let of earth in his mouth, walked about in different directions, 

 seeming to hesitate where to begin. At length having determined 

 upon a place, the earth was passed from the jaws to the fore 

 pair of legs, and there held while successive portions were bitten 

 off and fitted into place by the jaws. A sharp ridge was first 

 constructed on the borders of the entrance, and gradually strength- 

 ened by additions to its sides. A net-work of ridges was built 

 outside of this, and the interstices gradually filled up. 



While performing their tasks the workers were trodden upon 

 and most unceremoniously walked over by the others as they 

 came and went, but of all this they took no notice, and continued 

 at their labor as if unconscious of the presence of others. 



On the 25th the repairs w^ere completed, and an opening which 

 would have admitted four fingers was so far contracted as to 

 be large enough to admit only one. The nest which had been 

 previously in sight through the entrance, soon disappeared from 

 view, and, as was afterwards shown, was undermined, and sunk 

 several inches deeper. 



Oct. 5th. Some specimens were caught for preservation in 

 alcohol. Previously I had peered into the hole each day without 

 molestation. They had crawled over my clothes and hands, but 

 had shown no disposition to sting. After a few had been cap- 

 tured their temper began to change. Instead of flying in a direct 

 line, as they were ordinarily accustomed to do on leaving the hole, 

 they would w hen irritated move for a few seconds in a zigzag 

 course, making a louder sound than usual, and then charge with 

 force against some part of the body. One of them which stung 

 the finger, as it forced itself away tore off the sting and the poi- 

 son bag, which were left behind fastened in the wound. 



