TERMITES (WHITE ANTS). H3 



between its roof and that of the dome-shaped outer shell for their extension and 

 multiplication. This is referred to by Smeathman as somewhat resembling" a cathedral 

 nave, the similarity being further heightened by the presence of three or four large 

 Gothic-shaped arches, sometimes two or three feet in height, which give additional 

 support and strength to the dome-like roof. There is also a considerable interspace in 

 the centre of the main mass of nurseries and provision magazines, with groined lateral 

 walls and intercommunicating bridges, which appear to be for the purpose of 

 shortening the distance through which the newly deposited ova have to be carried from 

 the royal chamber to the upper nurseries. From the basement of the termitarium 

 cylindrical subterranean passages, lined with the same clay of which the tenement is 

 composed, run in every direction to vast distances, some of these at their commence- 

 ment being found by Smeathman to measure no less than thirteen inches in diameter. 



According to Smeathman's descriptions the soldier individuals of the communities 

 of Termes bellicosus are by no means pleasant antagonists to encounter at close 

 quarters. If, on breaking open the nest, the aggressor remains near enough for them 

 to reach him, the soldiers will attack with such fury as to make their hooked jaws 

 meet in the flesh, drawing as much blood as is equal in weight to their body and 

 allowing themselves to be pulled to pieces rather than quit their hold. If left 

 undisturbed, the soldiers shortly retire and the labourers then appear upon the scene 

 in crowds to repair the breach. This they do by each bringing with it a load of 

 tempered clay, which it immediately places in position then retiring for more. The 

 hundreds, or, it might be said, thousands, who thus contribute towards the repairing 

 work, soon, unless some of the main chambers or avenues have been exposed, close 

 up and obliterate all traces of the passages laid open. During the progress of these 

 repairs, the few soldiers that remained to supervise the work were observed at intervals of 

 a minute or two to raise their heads and strike the walls of the building in "such manner 

 as to make a distinct vibrating sound. This noise was immediately answered by a 

 loud hiss which apparently came from all the labourers, who immediately addressed 

 themselves to their task with re-doubled energy. Should the onslaught on the termitary 

 be renewed the workers all vanish again within a few seconds and the soldiers rush 

 out in numbers to do battle with the enemy as valiantly and vindictively as before. 



Within a comparatively recent date the account given by Smeathman of the 

 nest mounds and habits of Termes bellicosus have been confirmed in all important 

 points by Mr. T. J. Savage, who has recorded the results of his investigations of this 



species in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for the year 1850. Savage, 

 P 



