472 INSECTS. 



and at this time several may be seen with the wings half.grown; 

 in a few days they seem to obtain their full size. 



Mr. Derham imagines the ticking sound which these animals pro* 

 duce, to be analogous to the call of birds to their mates during the 

 breeding season ; and there seems to be no reason for calling in 

 question the truth of this observation. We may add, that this 

 sound, as well as that produced by the ptinus fatidicus, or death- 

 watch, seems to afford a convincing proof of the faculty of hear- 

 ing in insects, which some naturalists have been inclined to deny. 



Of the exotic termites, the most remarkable seems to be the 

 termes bellicosus, whose history is described by Mr. Smeathman in 

 the Philosophical Transactions. 



With the good order of their subterraneous cities, they will 

 appear foremost on the list of the wonders of the creation, as most 

 closely imitating mankind in provident industry and regular govern- 

 ment. - 



The termites are represented by Linnceus as the greatest plagues 

 of both Indies, and are indeed every way between the tropics so 

 deemed. These insects have generally obtained the names of ants, 

 it may be presumed, from the similarity in their manner of living; 

 which is in large communities that erect very extraordinary nests, 

 for the most part on the surface of the ground, whence their excur- 

 sions are made through subterraneous passages, or covered galle- 

 ries, which they build whenever 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, scarcely credible but to those who have seen it. 



The termites resemble the ants also in their provident and dili, 

 gent labour, but surpass them as well as the bees, wasps, beavers, 

 and all other animals, 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 shew more substantial instances of 

 their ingenuity and industry than any other animals ; and do in 

 fact lay up vast magazines of provisions and other stores ; a degree 

 of prudence which has of late years been denied, perhaps without 

 reason, to the ants. 



Their communities consist of one male and one female (who are 



