128 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 



their shoulders. The mazy evolutions and gyrations of the more modern skirt-dance 

 would probably provide an equally apposite simile. A phenomenon observed by the 

 author of the Tasmanian Trichonymphfe, but not recorded of the American type, was 

 the circumstance that they customarily anchored themselves by the longer posterior 

 cilia to organic debris or other convenient fulchra, and, thus attached, spun to and 

 fro after the manner of extemporised roasting jacks, but with great rapidity. The 

 writer was much disappointed in finding no Trichonymphidfe within the intestinal 

 tracts of the many large nest-building tropical Australian termites examined. A distinct 

 variety was, however, found associated with the large wood-destroying species figured 

 on Page 103. Similar infusorial parasites have been reported, but not specifically 

 described as infesting the European Termes luciftigus. M. C. Lespes has recorded that 

 they constitute the greater portion of the brown pulp of which the contents of the 

 intestine of this species are composed. Dr. Haviland also reports them as being 

 very abundant in various Singapore species. In examining these parasitic Infusoria, 

 Dr. Leidy found that they could be kept alive for some time by transferring them from 

 the termite's intestine to a small drop of the white of egg. By similarly employing 

 diluted milk the author was able to keep and examine the Tasnmnian species under 

 the microscope for lengthened periods. 



Through the kind courtesy of Drs. D. Sharp, F.R.S., and J. D. Haviland, the 

 writer has been afforded the opportunity, while concluding this Chapter, of glancing 

 through the proof-sheets of the article on the Termitidse, edited by Dr. Sharp, which 

 will be included in the forthcoming Insecta volumes of the Cambridge Natural 

 History.* It embraces the results of the most recent investigations of this remark- 

 able insect group, including the record of extensive and valuable researches prosecuted 

 by Dr. Haviland at Singapore and in South Africa. In this last-named region it 

 is interesting to observe that Dr. Haviland was fortunate enough to discover a form 

 closely identical in structure and habits with the remarkable Marching Termite, the 

 Termes viarum of Smeathman, described over a century ago, but of which no recent 

 knowledge had been recorded. Like Termes viarum, the workers and soldiers of this 

 Natal species, which Dr. Sharp has appropriately named Ifodotermes Hamlandi, are 

 possessed of facetted eyes, all of the ordinary forms being blind, and come abroad during 

 the heat of the day to cut and carry the grass and foliage upon which they principally 

 feed. The subterranean galleries of this Natal type measured one-third of an inch 



* Now published. Macmillan & Co. 



