PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 41 



directions towards the breach, every one carrying- in his 

 mouth a mass of mortar half as big- as his body% ready 

 tempered : — this mortar is made of the finer parts of the 

 gravel, vvhich tliey probably select in the subterranean 

 pits or passages before described, which, worked up to 

 a proper consistence, hardens to the solid substance 

 resembling- stone, of which their nests are constructed. 

 As fast as they come up, each sticks its burthen upon 

 the breach ; and this is done with so much regularity 

 and dispatch, (hat although thousands, nay millions, 

 are employed, they never appear to embarrass or in- 

 terrupt one another. By the united labours of such 

 an infinite host of creatures the wall soon rises and the 

 breach is repaired. 



While the labourers are thus employed, almost all 

 the soldiers have retired quite out of sight, except here 

 and there one, who saunters about amongst the la- 

 bourers, but never assists in the work. One in parti- 

 cular places himself close to the wall which they are 

 building; and turning- himself leisurely on all sides, as 

 if to survey the proceedings, appears to act the part of 

 an overseer of the works. Every now and then, at the 

 interval of a minute or two, by lifting up his head and 

 striking with his forceps upon the wall of the nest, he 

 makes a particular noise, which is answered by a loud 

 hiss from all the labourers, and appears to be a signal 

 for dispatch ; for, every time it is heard, they may be 

 seen to redouble their pace, and apply to their work 



* The anonymous author before alluded to, who observed the Ceylon 

 Tvhite ants, says, that such was the size of the masses, which were tem- 

 pered with a strong gluten, so that they adhered though laid on the upper 

 part of the breach. 



