100 NOTE ON THE " MERIDIONAL ANTHILLS," ETC. 



anthills north and south ? And yet the answer seems to me 

 simple — even ridiculously simple. The ants (or, more properly 

 speaking, termites) build in such a direction as to secure the 

 maximum of desiccation. 



During the long Northern droughts the anthills remain 

 unaltered, except by weathering, and are fairly compact. They 

 form attractive targets for spear or bullet practice, and as such 

 are eagerly taken advantage of by idle blacks or whites in the 

 piping times of peace. I have seen the breaches made in this 

 manner, or the accidental damage done by a passing bullock 

 dray, remain unrepaired for months ; but with the advent of the 

 first heavy rainfall the termite starts into an activity which can 

 only be compared to that of a mining camp which has been, 

 stacking washdirt through a long dry season. After a heavy 

 rain the breaches are repaired, and perhaps a foot is added to 

 the height of the anthill in a single day. The termites build 

 with great difficulty, and in fact scarcely attempt to build at all, 

 except in the wet season. 



When the conditions for building are most favourable, that 

 is, during heavy rains, the gum or cement secreted by the 

 termites naturally suffers dilution to an extent which must 

 seriously interfere with its adaptation to the purpose for which 

 it is provided. When dry the structure can resist most of the 

 ordinary forces of nature ; but while still wet a wind-pressure of 

 half-a-pound to the square inch will lay it in ruins. If wet 

 enough it will simply behave as wet sand, and its own weight 

 will destroy it. Its safety lies in being dried as quickly as 

 possible. In tropical latitudes it is obvious that this drying can 

 best be secured by placing the longer axis of the structure north 

 and south, so that the rays of the sun may beat upon it during, 

 the greater part of the day. 



