102 Mr. T.S. Savage on the Termitidee of West Africa. 
colour which marks the head and thorax of the workers and 
soldiers in their perfect or active state ; the exceptions were of a 
pure white. 
As the larger passages were opened, a strong current of warm 
air from within was perceptible. I attempted to look down the 
“dome,” but was compelled to withdraw immediately, my respi- 
ration being affected, and the glasses of my spectacles coated 
with a film of moisture; a strong, peculiar, but not unpleasant 
odour was perceived. It was observed, that the deeper we pene- 
trated, the more numerous became the young, and the more ad- 
vanced were they in growth. 
The structure called the “ royal chamber” by Smeathman was 
discovered in a position central in respect to the circumference of 
the hill, and about 18 inches above the surface of the ground. 
Around and beneath it was a connected series of clayey cellular 
work, in which were found the young, as before stated. The 
chamber was of an oblong shape, rounded at the ends and sides ; 
flattened and thick above and below. It was supported on one 
side by two pillars about three-quarters of an inch in diameter ; 
on the other, it was attached to the surrounding clay-work. I 
accidentally broke open the inclosure, being misled by the state- 
ment of Smeathman, that it was situated on a level with the sur- 
face of the ground. The queen was discovered, surrounded by 
a large number of the larger labourers, a few soldiers, and some 
of the more advanced pupz, all of whom were running rapidly 
round her, manifesting the greatest perturbation. The queen 
made great efforts at progression, constantly turning her head 
and thorax from side to side, but without moving in the least 
her huge abdomen. Her whole length was 42 inches. The king, 
evidently in great alarm, made repeated efforts to conceal himself 
under the abdominal folds of his consort. 
On examining further the “royal chamber,” a wide cavity was 
observed running horizontally along the upper part or roof, ex- 
ternally, but without any signs of communication with the mte- 
rior. On the under surface of the roof, or ceiling, is a long de- 
pression, corresponding in shape to the body of the queen, which 
gives her that freedom of motion necessary to the extension of 
her eggs. This motion is compound, first in a longitudinal, 
then transverse direction, alternately elongating, contracting and 
widening her body, which is marked with short, thick, transverse 
bands. The skin is thrown into folds, while these bands operate 
as so many fixed points or centres of muscular action, forcing 
the eggs through their ducts to the place of exit. 
For some time after exposure, the queen continued the expul- 
sion of her eggs, but not, as I am inclined to think, to the usual 
extent. They were white and very minute, and left untouched 
