THE COASTS OF SAINTONGE. 325 



Like the great majority of insects, the Termites 

 proceed from an egg, and before they assume their 

 definite forms, undergo various metamorphoses.* In 

 every Termites' nest we meet with larvas, nymphs, 

 and perfect insects, accompanied by an immense num- 

 ber of neuters. Among bees and ants, the latter 

 play the part of the workers, but amongst the 

 Termites they fulfil the functions of soldiers, and are 

 exclusively charged with watching over the common 

 safety, as well as in maintaining good order. The 

 larvas and nymphs, instead of wasting in complete 

 inactivity the time destined for their metamorphoses, 

 perform all the labours that are required in the com- 

 munity. It is they which erect their edifices, 

 dig the mines, amass provisions, and surround the 

 common mother, whose eggs they receive and 

 cherish. 



Although charged with the performance of the 

 most laborious duties, they are of very small size ; 

 the workers of the Termes bellicosus, which is the 

 largest of the species observed by Smeathman, are 

 only about one-fourth of an inch long, while twenty- 

 five of them scarcely weigh a grain. They are not, 

 therefore, larger than our ants, which they so much 

 resemble that the same name was long since given 



* Every insect that undergoes complete metamorphosis, passes 

 successively through three different stages. On coming forth from 

 the egg, it bears the name of larva. Thus, for instance, the cater- 

 pillar is the larva of the butterfly. In its second stage, it takes the 

 name of nympha or pupa, or chrysalis in the case of the butterfly. 

 It then finally becomes a perfect insect, and it is only after it has 

 attained this stage that the different sexes can be distinguished, 

 either by external or anatomical characters. 



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