ANNULOSA : INSECTA. 283 



wings (a special provision for this existing in a natural seam 

 running across the root of the wing and dividing the nervures) ; 

 they pair, and then become the kings and queens of future 

 colonies. 



The workers and the soldiers are distinct from the moment 

 of their emergence from the egg, and they do not acquire 

 their special characteristics in consequence of any difference 

 of food or treatment. Both are wingless, and they differ solely 

 in the armature of the head. The duties of the workers are to 

 "build, make covered roads, nurse the young brood from the 

 egg upwards, take care of the king and queen, who are the 

 progenitors of the whole colony, and secure the exit of the 

 males and females when they acquire wings, and fly out to 

 pair and disseminate the race." The duties of the soldiers are 

 to defend the community from all attacks which may be made 

 upon its peace, for which purpose the mandibles are greatly 

 developed. 



It may well be admitted, that in such organised communities 

 as those of the Termites, we have the highest development of 

 Insect-life yet known to us. The principle of the division of 

 labour is carried out to its fullest extent much further, indeed, 

 than is possible amongst human beings since the perfection 

 of the greater number of the individuals which compose the 

 community as organisms is sacrificed in order to secure the 

 fulfilment of the duties which are necessary for the existence 

 and welfare of the whole. Even the task of perpetuating the 

 species, and of giving origin to fresh colonies, is entirely left 

 to one class of the community, the defence and protection of 

 which is the special object and care of the remainder. No 

 higher development could well be imagined amongst creatures 

 devoid of the higher psychical endowments ; and it is worthy 

 of note that at least three distinct and independent families of 

 Insects have attained to this stage namely, the Termites, the 

 Bees, and the true Ants. 



SUB-CLASS III. HOLOMETABOLA. Metamorphosis complete; 

 the larva, pupa, and imago differing greatly from one another in 

 external appearance. The larva vermiform, and the pupa quiescent. 



ORDER VII. APHANIPTERA. Wings rudimentary, in the 

 form of plates, situated on the meso-thorax and meta-thorax. 

 Mouth suctorial. Metamorphosis complete. 



This order comprises the Fleas (Pulicidce), most of which 

 are parasitic upon different animals. The larva of the common 

 Flea is an apodal grub, which in about twelve days spins a 

 cocoon for itself, and becomes a quiescent pupa, from which 

 the imago emerges in about a fortnight more. Besides the 



