320 



ENTOMOLOGY 



FIG. 276. 



tralian plants, the leaves of which present their edges instead 

 of their faces to the sun. 



More than one species of termite may inhabit a single nest; 

 in one South African nest Haviland found five species of ter- 

 mites and three of ants. The 

 widely distributed genus Euter- 

 mes is essentially a group of 

 inqniline, or guest, species. 

 Termite mounds afford shelter 

 to scorpions, snakes, lizards, 

 rats, and even birds, some of 

 which nest in them. The Aus- 

 tralian bushmen hollow out the 

 mounds to make temporary 

 ovens, and even eat the clay of 

 which they are composed, while 

 natives of India and Africa are 

 accustomed to eat the termites 

 themselves, the flavor of which 

 is said to be delicious. 



Ravages. In tropical re- 

 gions the amount of destruc- 

 tion done by termites is enor- 

 mous, and these formidable 

 pests are a constant source of 

 consternation and dread. They 

 emit a secretion that corrodes 

 metals and even glass, while 

 anything made of wood is sim- 

 ply at their mercy. Always avoiding the light, they hollow 

 out floors, rafters or furniture, leaving only a thin outer shell, 

 and as a result of their insidious work a chair or a table may 

 unexpectedly crumble at a touch. Jamestown, the capital of 

 St. Helena, was largely destroyed by termites (1870) and had 

 to be rebuilt on that account. 



In the United States and Europe few species of termites 





Mound of the " compass " termite 

 of North Australia. After SAVILLE- 

 KENT. 





