568 



INSTINCTS OF TERMITES, OR WHITE ANTS. 



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 Senegal, as men- 

 tioned by Adanson, 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 hay-cocks. The exterior of the building 

 consists of one large shell or domed wall; which is large and 



NESTS OF TERMITES The large nests, of which one is cut open vertically to show the 

 interior, are those of the Termes beilicosus. The small nest (a) in the tree, is that 

 of the Termes arborum , and at b is seen the arched gallery, by which it communicates 

 with the ground. 



strong enough to 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 preserve a regular degree of genial 

 warmth and moisture ; which seems very necessary for hatching 

 the eggs and cherishing the young ones. The interior is divided, 

 with great regularity and contrivance, into a great number of 



