2 2 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



Ant heaps of a conical form, from ten to twelve 

 feet high, abound here in all such places as are safe 

 from inundation by the overflow of the river. 

 Anxious to discover some of the purposes to which 

 these diminutive insects put such gigantic structures, 

 I opened one of their sides. I found the interior 

 swarmed with inhabitants, who were passing in one 

 unbroken line into small holes, that apparently led 

 into the centre of these hillocks. The entire build- 

 ing was most skilfully and scientifically laid out 

 in diminutive cells, separated by passages, the 

 partitions being constructed of the finest earth, 

 vaulted and polished, and scarcely thicker than a 

 sheet of paper. Certainly the rough exterior of the 

 building did not give any promise of the masterly 

 workmanship to be found inside. Independent of 

 small apartments, there were found, as the explora- 

 tion progressed inwards, what might be taken for 

 large reception-rooms, while winding passages in 

 tiers, often one above the other, threaded through 

 the intricacies of the vaulted chambers. We are in 

 the habit of admiring the result of the labour of 

 bees ; no doubt it is very beautiful and extra- 

 ordinary, but monotonous, for one piece of comb is 

 ever identical with another, unless it may vary in 

 size ; but the labour of these termites is far more 

 original — in fact, it is impossible to examine the 

 work of these small artizans and not be struck 

 with amazement at the adaptability of the structure 



