THE WHITE ANTS. 



cipally of vegetable gums and inspissated juices. These are 

 thrown together in masses of different appearance, some resem- 

 bling the sugar on preserved fruits, some transparent, and others 

 opaque, as is commonly seen in all parcels of gum. 



The nurseries, on the other hand, are constructed in a manner 

 totally different from the other rooms. 



34. The walls and partitions of these consist entirely of wooden 

 materials, cemented together with gum. These nurseries, in 

 which the eggs are hatched, and the young secured, are small 

 irregularly shaped rooms, none of which exceed half an inch in 

 width. 



35. "When the nest is in the infant state, the nurseries are 

 close to the royal chamber ; but as in process of time the queen 

 enlarges, it is necessary to enlarge the chamber for her accommo- 

 dation ; and as she then lays a great number of eggs, and requires 

 a greater number of attendants, so it is necessary also to enlarge 

 and increase the number of the antechambers ; for which purpose 

 the small nurseries first built] are taken to pieces, rebuilt a little 

 further off a size larger, and their number increased. 



36. Thus they continually enlarge their apartments, pull down, 

 repair, or rebuild, according to their wants, with a degree of 

 sagacity, regularity, and foresight, not observed among any other 

 kind of animals or insects. 



37. There is one remarkable circumstance attending the nur- 

 series which ought not to be omitted. They are always found 

 slightly overgrown with mould, and plentifully sprinkled with 

 white globules, about the size of the head of a small pin. These 

 may be at first mistaken for eggs ; but submitting them to the 

 microscope, they appear to be a species of mushroom, similar 

 to the common mushroom, of the sort usually pickled. They 

 appear, when whole, white like snow a little thawed and after- 

 wards frozen; and, when bruised, seem to be composed of an 

 infinite number of pellucid particles, having a nearly oval form, 

 and difficult to be separated. The mouldiness seems to be com- 

 posed of the same kind of substance. The nurseries are enclosed 

 in chambers of clay, like the store-rooms, but much larger. In 

 the early state of the nest, they are not bigger than a hazel-nut, 

 but in large hills are much more spacious. 



38. These magazines and nurseries, separated by small empty 

 chambers and galleries, which run round them, or communicate 

 from one to the other, are continued on all sides to the outer wall 

 of the building, and reach up within it to two-thirds or three- 

 fourths of its height. They do not, however, fill up the whole of 

 the lower part of the hill, but are confined to the sides, leaving 

 an open area in the middle, under the dome, very much resem- 



108 



