i 3 2 DEL AGO A BAY. 



suddenly, although looking quite sound, because 

 the legs have beeu completely hollowed out ; or 

 a wiudow-frame will seem quite secure till one 

 puts a finger right through it. If a plank is 

 left on the ground, it will soon be covered with 

 sand, and when lifted up will be nothing but 

 rotten fibre. They do not confine themselves 

 to wood, but will also attack clothing or matting. 



Their nests, often solidly built mounds of 

 considerable size, may be a long way from the 

 house attacked, and unless the nest is found and 

 the huge queen destroyed, it is difficult to stay 

 their ravages ; but paraffin oil poured about the 

 place where they are supposed to be will delay 

 the attack for a time. 



The wings of the perfect insect are very large 

 and beautiful, and in the winged stage these 

 ants are also eagerly sought by birds; but I 

 have never seen the children here eating them 

 as a relish to their food, as I have on the West 

 Coast. 



Often a powerful and exceedingly nasty smell 

 is wafted into the house, and it was some time 



