334 SAVAGE SUDAN 



than thirty years ago (in 1888), and as an example of 

 its learned author's methods in field-research, I commend 

 to some who nowadays masquerade as "zoologists," 

 Professor Drummond's prescription of "the only way 

 with patience and reverence to study Nature." 1 



Incidentally, the life-history of the white ant suggests 

 another instance of the frequent failures in animal- 

 instinct. Here we have a lowly insect, one of the most 

 feeble and defenceless of creatures, yet instinctively enabled 

 to outwit and set at defiance a whole host of enemies 

 presumptively of far higher intelligence than itself. To 

 them from the human being downwards to bird and 

 reptile the termite represents an important item in their 

 daily diet; yet by its infinite industry in "enamelling," 

 in constructing tunnels and encrustations though done 

 in full view the termite succeeds in evading their inten- 

 tions and their appetites. Reasonably one might expect 

 that, during ages, the termite -devouring animals, or 

 some of them, would have detected the secret have 

 realised how defenceless the poor termite really was, 

 how easily his flanks might be turned, his fortress 

 captured. But no ; although the termite prosecutes his 

 labours under their very eyes, neither beast, bird, nor 

 reptile with two exceptions have discerned his secret, 

 or availed the wealth of food-supply that lies open for 

 their exploitation. 



The two exceptions are the aard-vark (or ant-bear) 

 and the pangolin (manis], each specialised for breaking 

 into their fortresses and devouring the termites. 



1 Tropical Africa, p. no. Please read also p. 162 the upper half- 

 and the story of " Chirombo" at p. 169. 



While passing these proofs through the Press, I saw alas ! this gem 

 of scientific writing priced in a second-hand book catalogue at Three-and- 

 sixpence ! Rather a sad commentary on public interest in Nature's ways? 

 especially when one reads simultaneously. of popular novels, or autobio- 

 graphies of the merest transient interest, commanding thousands of 

 pounds. 



