244 



THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



one place vertical walls form the outline, which com- 

 municate with different corridors by openings made in 

 the masonry ; in another we see a true saloon, whose 

 vaults are supported by numerous pillars ; and further 

 on are the cross-ways or squares where several streets 

 meet, and whose roofs, though often more than two 



FIG. 24. WHITE ANTS (1, Winged Female ; 2, Female, distended with eggs). 



inches across, the Ants are under no difficulty in con- 

 structing, beginning the sides of the arch in the angle 

 formed by two walls, and extending them by successive 

 layers of clay till they meet ; while crowds of masons 



FIG. 25. NESTS OF WHITE ANTS. 



arrive from all parts with their particles of mortar, and 

 work with a regularity, harmony, and activity, which 

 can never enough be admired. So assiduous are they 

 in their operations, that they will complete a story 



