10 Queensland Termites. [Sess. 
it is to conduct experiments with small colonies in test-tubes 
or the like. If moisture be excluded, it is fatal; if moisture 
be present, some fungus, probably a mucor, soon draws a 
white winding-sheet over the whole contents. Under adverse 
or winter conditions this fungus also infests the more distant 
tunnels of the termitary. There are other reasons why ex- 
periments under artificial conditions will not succeed, apart 
from the fact that their way of living does not lend itself to 
observation so easily as that of bees. Termites in the 
ageregate are a social mechanism in which it seems to me 
the individual has—if I may use the expression—no initiative 
whatever. May we not expect this of Socialism—if it ever 
succeed so far as to be an accomplished fact ? 
I shall now draw to a close with a notice of the common 
parasites of the termitary. 
1. An infusorian, a true endo-parasite, is very common in 
the fluid body-contents of these insects, and may be observed 
easily with a comparatively low power. 
2. Two species of acarina are ectoparasitic and rather 
common. One of them, probably a gamarid, also runs free 
about the termitary. Other inhabitants of the termitary are 
commensal rather than parasitic. 
3. A very flat oval bug } inch across is frequently found 
in pairs traversing the tunnels. 
4. A colourless and eyeless lepismid is sometimes found, 
but is equally at home in similar dark abodes. This insect, 
like campodea, is furnished with abdominal appendages, which 
have been thought to be the homologues of legs. This, how- 
ever, is not so, as scolopendrella has both these appendages 
and also true legs. 
5. Small eyeless podurids are very common. 
6. Microdon. I have several times found the curious 
molluse-like larva of this fly in the external runs. 
I do not include true ants of many species, which often 
make their social homes in the termitary. They are there as 
active enemies. 
[ After reading Mr Grieve’s paper, the President made some 
remarks which may be briefly summed up as follows :— 
1. Workers and soldiers are of either sex; they are un- 
