1898-99.] Queensland Termites. 3 
for though Saville Kent writes a good deal, and publishes 
a number of very beautiful photographs of termites’ nests, 
he says hardly anything of their life-history. In fact, if I 
remember correctly, he does not even give scientific names 
to the termites whose very beautiful dwellings he photo- 
graphs. 
By far the most scientific and best contribution that has 
been made was published in 1893 and 1894 by a Sicilian, 
Professor Grassi, and a pupil of his, Dr Sandias. The articles 
were translated, and appeared in the ‘Quarterly Journal of 
Microscopical Science’ last year. They are well worth read- 
ing. Two species of termites which live in Sicily are the 
subjects of their studies, 
I shall now allow Mr Grieve to speak for himself. 
Perhaps it would be superfluous for one who looks upon 
Charles Darwin with reverence to seek a teleological reason 
for the existence of any creature. I shall not do so in the 
case of termites, but content myself by saying that they fill 
their place in nature by chewing wood up into a finely com- 
minuted pulp, which is further elaborated in the metabolism 
of the insect. I regret that I cannot go further, and say that 
this pulp is, or has ever been, of one particle of use to man. 
Unlike the earth-worm, that nowadays shines with light from 
a great name, the termite contributes nothing to the fertility 
of the land—the late Professor Drummond to the contrary 
notwithstanding. Unlike the earthworm, where fertility is, 
the termite is seldom found ; but where arid deserts of hopeless 
sterility face the sun, there is the termite’s home, there its 
dismal monuments stand endless in funereal array. 
It will be admitted that fertility of soil is owing mainly to 
geological causes, and coincides with the presence and decom- 
position of certain strata. Thus the soil in old or recent 
volcanic districts is almost invariably fertile. The earthworm 
contributes its share to this fertility. Termites, so far as I 
have read their history aright, do not. 
When Queensland termites are talked of, it is one of two 
predominating species which is usually meant—either the 
mound-builder, whose structures spot the face of every dry and 
sandy landscape, or the somewhat smaller tree termite, which 
