CONSTITUTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF TERMITES. 287 
In the intervals between successive convulsions the insect 
remains still or progresses for a short distance only. These 
movements are executed by all members of the colony ex- 
cept those newly hatched. 
I have satisfied myself by careful observation of the phe- 
nomena exhibited in tube-nests that these convulsions serve 
as a cry to summon help or give alarm, or as a lament; in 
short, as a mode of intercommunication. 
When the insects are suddenly annoyed or disturbed by 
any cause, such as a rough shake of the tube, its change from 
a vertical to a horizontal position, sudden illumination, or the 
prolonged effect of too bright a light, all the members of the 
colony begin to quiver, except those that are running briskly 
about in search of a better situation. Moribund examples 
sometimes perform these movements at intervals of a few 
minutes, in some cases for a couple of hours. 
[If a few Termes lucifugus are put into a tube contain- 
ing the usual little nest of Calotermites, some of the latter, 
evidently excited by the very rapid movements of the intruders, 
run off rapidly in the opposite direction, and stop at intervals 
to quiver with much more energy than usual. This phenome- 
non is exhibited alike by larve, nymphs, and soldiers, but the 
latter quickly turn back to face the supposed enemy. It seems 
evident in such a case that those which are first aware of the 
presence of the Termes quiver violently in order to alarm 
the population. | 
[Sometimes the convulsions of an insect in the neighbourhood 
of the cork are quickly followed by the exit therefrom of 
others which have been burrowing inside it. Such cases 
appear to prove the utility of the action as a mode of 
signalling. | 
Members of the same nest clearly recognise each other. 
[As a proof, a few examples are removed from the nest and 
returned after five or six hours. The population is not dis- 
turbed or alarmed, and does not scurry about at their re-entry. 
It is a possible objection that these specimens have immediately 
recognised the nest, and therefore create no disorder on their 
