6o OUR INSECT FRIENDS AND FOES 



earth. Professor Drummond gives the following 

 interesting description of the way in which the 

 Termites build these covered ways : " At the 

 foot of a tree the tiniest hole cautiously opens 

 in the ground close to the bark. A small head 

 appears with a grain of earth clasped in its 

 jaws. Against the tree-trunk this earth-grain is 

 deposited, and the head is withdrawn. Pre- 

 sently it reappears with another grain of earth ; 

 this is laid beside the first, rammed tight against 

 it, and again the builder descends underground 

 for more. The third grain is not placed against 

 the tree, but against the former grain ; a fourth, 

 a fifth, and a sixth follow, and the plan of the 

 foundation begins to suggest itself as soon as 

 these are in position. The stones, or grains, or 

 pellets of earth are arranged in a semi-circular 

 wall, the Termite, now assisted by three or 

 four others, standing in the middle between the 

 sheltering wall and the tree, and working briskly 

 with head and mandibles to strengthen the posi- 

 tion. The wall, in fact, forms a small moon- 

 rampart, and as it grows higher and higher, it 

 soon becomes evident that it is going to grow 

 from a low battlement into a long perpendicular 

 tunnel, running up the side of the tree." The 

 Termites moisten each grain with a sticky secre- 

 tion from their mouths, before placing it in 

 position, which most effectually cements the 

 whole mass together. 



While these covered ways are being con- 

 structed by the workers, the Soldier Termites 

 mount guard, ready to do battle with any 

 marauding band of true Ants that may suddenly 



