WARS OF WHITE ANTS, 333 



sands, nay, millions, seem employed, yet they never 

 embarrass one another. While the labourers are 

 thus eni^ag-ed, the soldiers retire, save here and 

 there one who saunters about, never touchini^ the 

 mortar. One in particular places itself close to the 

 part undergoing repair ; it may be seen turning lei- 

 surely on all sides, and every now and then, at an 

 interval of a minute or two, lifting up its head, and 

 with its forceps beating upon the building and making 

 a vibrating noise, on which a loud hiss, apparently 

 from the whole body of labourers, issues from within- 

 side the dome and all the subterranean passages : 

 that it comes from the labourers is very evident, for 

 all these may be seen hastening at every such signal, 

 redoubling their pace, and working as fast again." 



A renewal of the attack instantly changes the 

 scene. *' At the first stroke," continues Smeathman, 

 " the labourers run into the many pipes and galle- 

 ries with which the building is perforated, and this 

 they do so quickly that they seem to vanish, for in 

 a few seconds all are gone, and the soldiers rush 

 out as numerous and as vindictive as before. On 

 finding no enemy they return leisurely into the hill ; 

 and soon afterwards the labourers appear loaded as 

 at first, with soldiers here and there among them, 

 who act in the same manner as before, one or other of 

 them giving the signal to hasten the business. Thus 

 the pleasure of seeing them come out to fight and to 

 work alternately may be obtained as often as cu- 

 riosity excites, or time permits; and it will certainly 

 be found, that the one order never attempts to fight 

 nor the other to work, let the emergency be ever so 

 great*." 



The furious valour and pertinacity of these soldier- 

 insects present a serious obstacle to those who have 

 * Phil. Trans, vol. Ixxi. 



