NEUKOPTEEA. 145 



struct tubes or covered ways, wherein they go, so that they 



always work concealed from observa- 

 tion. Sometimes they raise edifices 

 above the groimd in the shape of 

 pyramids or towers, occasionally sur- 

 mounted by a solid roof: these habita- 

 tions, both from their dimensions and 

 theii- numbers, might easily be mis- 

 taken for villages. Besides the labour- 

 ers, each community contains a number 

 of individuals called neuters, or soldiers, 

 to whom tho defence of the colony is 

 intrusted ; these are at once distinguish- 

 able from the large size of theii* heads 

 and ponderous jaws. Besides the 

 above, there are winged males, and a 

 queen or fertile female, whose fecun- 

 dity surpasses anything elsewhere 

 known in the animal creation. Arrived 

 at their perfect state they all become 

 possessed of wings, and issuing forth, 

 in countless multitudes by night, cover 

 the country as with a living deluge. 

 The rising sun, however, dries their 

 wings, and they become a prey to 

 numerous enemies, to whom they serve 

 as food. 



The Caddis Flies {Plirygama)* 

 which, like the May-flies, are among 

 the best friends of the fly-fisher, are 

 usually placed among the Nem-opte- 

 rous insects, although the nervures 

 of their wings can scarcely be said 



Fig 104— queen termite 



(^ATCRAL size). 



* (ppi-yavov, phryganon, a dry sticJ:. 



