338 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



aggressors, they at once draw blood. Each Termite 

 will cause a loss of blood exceeding the weight of 

 its own body. Thus the negroes who are without 

 shoes and only half-clothed, are soon put to flight, 

 whilst even Europeans leave the combat with their 

 clothes deeply stained with blood. 



While they are engaged in fighting, the soldiers 

 strike the ground from time to time with their for- 

 ceps, and the labourers reply to this well known signal 

 by a sort of whistling sound. As soon as the attack 

 ceases, the masons appear in crowds, each carrying 

 in its mouth a piece of clay ready prepared. Each 

 in turn approaching the point that needs repair, 

 applies to it his portion of mortar, and then again 

 retires without embarrassing or interfering with his 

 companions. The new wall is rapidly constructed 

 under the eyes of the observer. During this time 

 the soldiers remain in the interior, with the exception 

 of one or two to every thousand labourers. One of 

 them appears to be charged with superintending the 

 works ; for during the building of a wall, he stands 

 as a superintendent, slowly turning his head in all 

 directions, and striking the dome rapidly every two 

 or three minutes with his forceps, which produce a 

 noise rather louder than that of the ticking of a 

 watch. This *noise is each time responded to by a 

 whistling sound, which proceeds from all parts of the 

 edifice, and is invariably accompanied by an ex- 

 hibition of increasing activity on the part of the 

 labourers. If the attack recommences, the labourers 

 disappear in the twinkling of an eye, and the soldiers 

 return to their posts, where they maintain the con- 



