670 



Crnufttrg at Datura! 



form of a sugar-loaf, ten or twelve feet in 

 height, and so solid that the wild cattle 

 mount upon them without breaking through. 

 Internally they are divided into numerous 

 apartments, and have subterranean galleries 

 connected with them, from the extremities 

 of which the insects issue. But, so extra- 

 ordinary is the whole history and economy 

 of these insects so wonderful their habits 

 and instincts that, in order to do justice to 

 the subject, we feel ourselves under the ne- 

 cessity of inserting, with but little abridg- 

 ment, Mr. Smeathman's celebrated 'Account 

 of the Termites of Africa.' 



These insects (he observes) have generally 

 obtained the name of Ants from the simi- 

 larity in their manner of living, which is in 

 large communities, that erect very extraordi- 

 nary nests, for the most part on the surface 

 of the ground, from whence their excursions 

 are made through subterraneous passages or 

 covered galleries, which they build when- 

 ever necessity obliges, or plunder induces, 

 them to march above ground, and at a great 

 distance from their habitations carry on a 

 business of depredation and destruction, 

 scarce credible but to those who have seen 

 it. But notwithstanding they live in com- 

 munities, and are, like the Ants, omnivo- 

 rous ; though, like them, at a certain period 

 they are furnished with four wings, and 

 emigrate or colonize at the same season ; 

 they are by no means the same kind of in- 

 sects, nor does their form correspond with 

 that of Ants in any one state of their exist- 

 ence, which, like most other insects, is 

 changed several times. They resemble the 

 Ants also in their provident and diligent 

 labour, but surpass them as well as the Bees, 

 Wasps, Beavers, and all other animals which 

 I have ever heard of, in the arts of building, 

 as much as the Europeans excel the least 

 cultivated savages. It is more than probable 

 they excel them as much in sagacity and 

 the arts of government ; it is certain they 

 show more substantial instances of their in- 

 genuity and industry than any other ani- 

 mals ; and do, in fact, lay up vast magazines 

 of provisions and other stores. 



The different species of this genus resemble 

 each other in form, in their manner of living, 

 and in their good and bad qualities ; but 

 differ as much as birds in the manner of 

 building their habitations or nests, and in 

 the choice of the materials of which they 

 compose them. There are some species 

 which build upon the surface of the ground, 

 or part above and part beneath, and one or 

 two species, perhaps more, that build on the 

 stems or branches of trees, sometimes aloft 

 at a vast height. Of every species there are 

 three orders ; first, the working insects, or 

 labourers; next, the fighting ones, or sol- 

 diers, which do no kind of labour ; and, last 

 of all, the winged ones, or perfect insects 

 (called kings and queens), which are male 

 and female, and capable of propagation. 

 These neither labour, or toil, or fight, being 

 quite incapable of either, and almost of self- 

 defence ; and nature has so ordered it, that 

 they emigrate within a few weeks after they 

 have arrived at this state, and either establish 

 new kingdoms, or perish within a day or two. 



The Termcs bcllicosm is the largest and 

 best known species on the coast of Africa ; 

 this account of the Termites is therefore 

 taken from observations made thereon. The 

 nests of this species are so numerous all over 

 the island of Barranas, and the adjacent con- 

 tinent of Africa, that it is scarcely possible 

 to stand upon any open place, such as a rice 

 plantation or other clear spot, where one or 

 more of these buildings is not to be seen 

 within fifty paces. In some parts near Sene- 

 gal, as mentioned byAdanson, their number, 

 magnitude, and closeness of situation, make 

 them appear like the villages of the natives. 

 These buildings are usually termed hills, 



from their outward appearance, which is 

 that of little hills, generally pretty much in 

 the form of sugar-loaves, and about ten or 

 twelve feet in height. These hills continue 

 quite bare until they are six or eight feet 

 high ; but in time become, like the rest of 

 the earth, almost covered with grass and 

 other plants ; and in the dry season, when 

 the herbage is burnt up by the rays of the 

 sun, they somewhat resemble very large 

 haycocks. The exterior of the building con- 

 sists of one large dome-shaped shell ; large 

 and strong enough to enclose and shelter the 

 interior from the weather, and to protect the 

 inhabitants from the attacks of most of their 

 enemies. It also serves to collect and pre- 

 serve a regular degree of genial warmth and 

 moisture ; which in all probability is quite 

 necessary for hatching the eggs. The inte- 

 rior is divided, with great regularity and 

 contrivance, into a great number of apart- 

 ments ; some of which are intended for the 

 residence of the kings and queens, and for 

 the rearing of their numerous progeny ; 

 whilst others serve as magazines, and are 

 always well filled with stores and provisions. 

 These hills make their first appearance above 

 ground by a little turret or two in the shape 

 of sugar-loaves ; which only rise to the 

 height of a foot, or a little more. Soon after- 

 wards, at some little distance, while the for- 

 mer are increasing in height and size, the 

 Termites raise others, and so go on increas- 

 ing the number, and widening them at the 

 base, till their works below are covered with 

 these turrets, which they always raise the 

 highest and largest in the middle, and by 

 filling up the intervals between each turret, 

 collect them, as it were, into one dome. 



