202 



HABITATIONS OF ANIMALS. 



this state, they are about a fourth of an inch in length, which 

 is rather smaller than some of our ants. From their figure 

 and fondness for wood, they are very generally known by the 

 name of wood-lice. ~_X- 



The second order, or soldiers, differ in figure from that of 

 the laborers. The former have been supposed to be neuters, 

 and the latter males. But, in fact, they are the same insects. 

 They have only undergone a change of form, and made a 

 nearer approach to the perfect state. They are now much 

 larger, being half an inch in length, and equal in size to fif- 

 teen of the laborers. The form of the head is likewise greatly 

 changed. In the laborer state, the mouth is evidently formed 

 for gnawing or holding bodies ; but in the soldier state, the 

 jaws, being shaped like two sharp awls a little jagged, are 

 destined solely for piercing or wounding. For these purposes 

 they are very well calculated, for they are as hard as a crab's 

 claw, and placed in a strong, horny head, which is of a nut- 

 brown color, and larger than the whole body. 



The figure of the third order, or that of the insect in its 

 perfect state, is still more changed. The head, the thorax, 

 and the abdomen, differ almost entirely from the same parts 

 in the laborers and soldiers. Beside, the animals are now 

 furnished with four large, brownish, transparent wings, by 

 which they are enabled, at the proper season, to emigrate and 

 to establish new settlements. In the winged or perfect state 

 they are greatly altered in their size as well as in their figure. 

 Their bodies now measure between six and seven-tenths of 

 an inch, their wings, from tip to tip, above two inches and a 

 half, and their bulk is equal to that of thirty laborers, or two 

 soldiers. Instead of active, industrious, and rapacious little 

 animals, when they arrive at their perfect state, they become 

 innocent, helpless . and dastardly. Their numbers are great ; 

 but their enemies are still more numerous. They are devour- 

 ed by birds, by every species of ants, by carnivorous reptiles, 

 and even by the inhabitants of many parts of Africa. 



Of those "hat escape, some are seized upon by the laboring 

 insects, and are made the founders of new states. They are 

 immediately inclosed in a chamber suitable to their size. This 

 is built around them, and has an entrance too small for them 

 to go out, but large enough for the laborers to pass in and 

 out. It was the opinion of former observers, that both 

 males and females were thus preserved ; but the analogy of 

 other insects renders it probable that it is females alone, 

 it any rate, there soon takes place a most extraordinary 



