CONSTITUTION AND DEVELOPMENT OP TERMITES. 19 



lary, possibly also the labial palpi (I have not been able 

 definitely to establish the latter point). 



When a Calotermite wishes to feed, he accosts one of his 

 fellows and caresses the abdomen with the antennae and palpi. 

 If the one thus accosted is prepared to eliminate, he at once 

 extrudes the scybalum from the anal aperture. The other 

 then removes it, chiefly by aid of the maxillary palpi, and 

 usually in two operations separated by a short interval, draw- 

 ing it at first half, and then completely out. He then rapidly 

 seizes it with the mandibles, suspending his caresses for this 

 purpose, and when he has possessed himself of it, nibbles at 

 and ingests it little by little. 



If the insect accosted is unable to furnish what is required, 

 he is at once abandoned and another pursued, and in this way 

 several examples are solicited in turn until one produces the 

 substance desired. But a single scyhalum is rarely sufficient, 

 and consequently the one which has devoured it immediately 

 sets off to procure another. 



A scybalum, of which the extrusion has been caused by an 

 individual even of royal stock, is sometimes seized and quickly 

 devoured by another. 



If the example solicited is prepared to eliminate, it stands 

 still, otherwise it runs away ; and the thing becomes more 

 curious when the dejecta are either not quite ready for extru- 

 sion, or when but a small, amount is ready. The one solicited 

 runs away and the other pursues ; and this most probably is 

 the explanation of the so-caUed amorous passages seen in 

 many termites and described in the preceding chapter. 



The operation of caressing the apex of the abdomen to 

 procure elimination of the dejecta is performed alike by the 

 soldiers, but with some difficulty, on account of the large size 

 of their mandibles. The soldier achieves his purpose by 

 placing himself so that his head forms nearly a right angle 

 with the body-axis of the example caressed, and the buccal 

 apparatus situated on the under side of the head comes into 

 contact with the anal aperture of his fellow, who in turn is 

 held steady by the soldier's mandibles resting on the upper 



