SO AN IX TROD '10 EX TO MO LOGY. 



they pair with their near relatives. The development of 



.ml forms is therefore necessary in order to provide for inter- 

 \ of individuals not closely related. Doubtless here as with 

 the true ants the winged males and females emerge from many n 

 at the same time and mingle in a single swarm: in this way there is 

 opportunity for intercrossing. 



n the above it can be seen that among the Termites there 



four distinct castes': (l) Winged sexual forms or kings and 



queens; (2) Wingless sexual forms or complemental males and 



females; (3) Workers; (4) Soldiers. As both sexes are represented 



in each caste, we have in all eight forms. 



There is space here for but little regarding the habits of these 

 wonderful insects. In the tropics certain species build nests of great 

 me of these are mounds ten or twelve feet in height. Other 

 ies build large globular masses upon the trunks or branches of 

 trees. All of the Termites are miners, and all avoid the light. 

 They therefore build covered ways from their nests to such pi, 

 '.iey wish to visit. In some of the hot countries they are the 

 -st of all pests. They will feed upon almost any organic matter ; 

 they destroy wooden structures of all kinds, including buildings and 

 furniture. Libraries are often completely ruined by them. In in- 

 festing anything composed of wood they usually eat out the interior, 

 leaving a thin film on the outside. Thus a table may appear to be 

 sound, but crumble to pieces beneath a slight weight; entrance 

 having been made through the floor of the house and the legs of the 

 table. 



The mounds of Termites are composed chiefly of the ext i 

 undigested wood upon which the insects have fed.* This is moulded 

 into the desired form, and, on drying, it becomes solid. 



Like other Pseildoneuroptera, the Termites undergo an incom- 

 plete metamorphosis. Tin is soon as they are deposited by 



the que< arried away by the workers to other chambers. The 



young are fed upon prepared food, which is stored up in tin- form 

 of very hard and tough rounded massi-s, evidently Composed of com- 

 minuted wood. It is believed that tin: young Termites are also 

 fed on the sck-rotia of some fungi. Tin- y>ung white' ants are ac- 

 tive: and all sizes, from the newly-hatched nymph to the full-grown 



* That this substance is compos* "<lv tissue is easily seen by a micro- 



k examination; and I am informed by Prof. J. C. Branner, who has observed ' 

 insects in Brazil, that he has seen the Termites eject the matter from the caudal opening 

 of the alimentary canal and add it to the ; '-red ways which they were building. 



