806 HABITS AND INSTINCTS OF AOTMALS. CHAP. X. 



Thus embarrassed, they move their heads about, all the 

 xvhile extending their long pointed jaws to the utmost, 

 ready to fasten upon the first enemy that comes in their 

 way : at this time the disproportionate size of their 

 immense heads, and their awkward gait, give them a 

 most ludicrous appearance. It ia really laughable to 

 see them, sometimes, in their eagerness to push forward, 

 tumbling over each other, when they begin biting any 

 stick or substance which lies in their way ; to those of 

 their own kind, however, they do no injury. We 

 have frequently put a stick in their way ; they imme- 

 diately fastened upon it so firmly, that no force could 

 disengage the jaws without causing the destruction of 

 the animal. From this fact, we may readily conceive 

 the extreme danger which would result from an in- 

 cautious exposure of the human body to such resolute 

 enemies. So soon as the injury has ceased, and no 

 further interruption is given, the soldiers retire, sup- 

 posing the enemy has departed ; their place is then 

 filled by the labourers, who immediately begin to crowd 

 the aperture, each carrying in his mouth a load of 

 tempered mortar half as big as himself, which he lays 

 on the edge of the orifice, and immediately hastens 

 back for more. Not the space of the tenth part of an 

 inch is left without labourers working upon it at the 

 same moment ; crowds are hurrying to and fro ; yet, 

 amid all this activity, we observed the greatest order, 

 no one impeded the other, but each seemed to thread 

 the mazes of the multitude without trouble or incon- 

 venience. 



(311.) The soldiers, in the mean time, although the 

 great body had retired, were yet observed to be in- 

 termixed, acting as sentinels or overseers, but taking 

 no part whatever in the labours of the workers. They 

 seem, in short, although to all appearance blind, 

 stationed to watch the proceedings of the labourers, 

 walking leisurely in and out of the aperture, with 

 closed jaws and peaceful mien : this we have re- 

 peatedly witnessed. Mr. Smeathman further adds, that 



