NOTES. 397 
The majority of the dealated males and females took refuge 
under the matting on the verandah, but [am unable to say what 
ultimately becameofthem. Their behaviour under observation 
may be to some extent abnormal, as it is usually necessary to 
use a light, and that, of course, induces them to remain in the 
vicinity of thenest. Inthepresentinstance they were observed 
by the light of a lamp 4 feet from the exits of the nest. 
The following points may be specially noted :— 
1. The narrowing of the exit in preparation for the emer- 
gence of the winged insects. This has been observed on several 
occasions during the last ten years, and it would appear to 
be the usual course in the case of the Ceylon mound-building 
termites. The opening is narrowed, generally so that the 
insects emerge in a single row. This is probably done to 
facilitate the closing after the flight. 
2. The provision of a ‘‘ guard ”’ of soldiers and workers 
round the exits, and its withdrawal as soon as the main flight 
is over. It would seem improbable that these are for the 
protection of the winged insects, as they re-enter the nest 
when they are most required, 7.¢e., when the dealated insects 
return ; and if for protection, the workers would be useless. 
It may be that they are merely stationed in a convenient 
position for closing the nest. The operation of closing, 
however, is conducted from within. 
3. The return of dealated females and males to the nest, 
apparently before the fertilization of the female. 
4. The apparent selection of the returning insects by the 
soldiers. 
5. The closing of the exits after the flight. The chimneys 
of the common termite hills in Ceylon are normally open ; 
they are closed after the flight, perhaps in order to prevent 
the return of too many males and females. 
6. The absence of any exiled workers and soldiers who 
could assist the discarded female insects in founding new nests. 
T. PETCH. 

Note on the Breeding Habits of the Did-he-do-it (Sarco- 
grammus indicus) —Two years ago, in the Northern Province, 
