PLATYPTERA. 93 



head shows that the insect performs the hardest work 

 with this part of the body. The thorax and abdomen 

 are broadly connected, while in the Hymenopterous 

 ants the abdomen has a slender stem or peduncle. 



The mandibles are not large, but are strong and 

 horny, while in the soldier (Fig. 47, Termes flavipes), 

 which performs greater labors for the protection of the 

 colony, the head {A) and mandibles (Figs. 47, 48, md', 

 Fig. 48 head of soldier enlarged) 

 are greatly developed, and the 

 latter deeply colored. The dif- 

 ference in structure between these 

 two individuals is, in fact, exactly 

 proportioned to the amount and 

 kind of work they perform. It is 

 also interesting to note that the ^'^' ^^• 



worker obliged to work below has its head turned 

 downward at right angles with the body, while the 

 soldier, using his mandibles in fighting in narrow 

 places, has its head extending forward or in a hne 

 with the body. Both workers and soldiers may be of 

 either sex, but the reproductive organs are slightly 

 developed. They are bhnd, the eyes being absent ; 

 and they never have wings, the name Platyptera 

 (TrXarv, broad ; TrrepoV, wing) referring to the wings 

 of the male and female. They are in reality larvae 

 which never pass through the pupal stage, but are 

 arrested in development, and in the soldier the head 

 is abnormally developed to accomphsh the special 

 work of attack and defence. The larva ^ proper, or 



1 Excellent figures of the larva, pupa, etc., of another species, 

 Termes lucifu^us, can be found in Claus, Traite de Zoologie, 



