NET WINGS. 65 



Just as thin as any wafer ; 



Thus the damage goes unnoticed 



Till the table is required ; 



Then it crumbles into atoms 



Underneath the slightest pressure. 



All but kings and queens are wingless. 



All the kings and queens are furnished 



With wings only for a season, 



Just to give the power of flying 



From their former habitation 



Forth to found another kingdom. 



When these royalties have settled, 



Then they lose the wings that bore them : 



Some have seen the creatures turning 



Back their heads, and briskly biting 



Ail four wings from off the thorax ; 



And, as soon as thus selfcrippled, 



Stragghng workers seem to find them, 



And thenceforward to entrust them 



With unlimited dominion, 



Quickly raising round about them 



All the buildings of a city. 



Laura, there are forms so varied 



In the mighty White Ant city, 



Forms of kings and queens and soldiers. 



Workmen of all sorts and sizes, 



Larva, pupa and imago, 



That I cannot now describe them. 



