102 Mr. T. S. Savage on the Termitidse 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. 1 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 j 

 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 pupse, 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 4|^ 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 inte- 

 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 



