512 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



its final fbniijtlie ijincr turrets, all but the tops, whicli 

 project like pinnacles from different parts of it, are re- 

 moved, and the clay employed over again in otlier 

 services. 



It is the lower part alone of tlie buildini^ that is oc- 

 cupied by the inhabitants. The upper portion or dome, 

 which is very strong and solid, is left empty, serving^, 

 principally as a defence from the vicissitudes of the 

 weather and the attacks of natural or accidental ene- 

 mies, and to keep up in the lower part a genial warmth 

 -and moisture necessary to the hatching of the eggs ar.d 

 cherishing of the young ones. The inhabited portion 

 is occupied by the roijal chamber, or habitation of the 

 king and queen ; the nurseries for the young; the store- 

 huiises for food; and innumerable galleries, passages, 

 and empty rooms: — arranged according to the follow- 

 ing plan. 



In the centre of the building, just under the apex, 

 and nearly on a level with the surface of the ground, is 

 placed the royal chamber, an arched vault of a semi- 

 oval shape, or not unlike a long oven ; at first not above 

 an inch long, but enlarged as the queen increases in 

 bulk to the length of eight inches or more. In this 

 apartment the king and queen constantly reside; and 

 from the smallness of the entrances, which are barely 

 large enough to admit their more diminutive subjects, 

 can never possibly come out; thus, like many human 

 potentates, purchasing their sovereignty at the dear 

 rate of the sacrifice of liberty. Immediately adjoining 

 the royal chamber, and surrounding it on all sides to 

 the extent of a foot or more, are placed what Mr. 

 Sineathman calls the royal aj)arlments^ an inextricable 



