536 



THE WHITE ANTS. 



ten or twelve feet above the surface of the ground 1 ,.) are nean y oi a 

 conical shape; and sometimes so numerous, as at a little distance to 

 appear like villages of the negroes. Jobson in his history of Gambia, 

 says, that some of them are twenty feet high, and that he and his 

 companions have often hidden themselves behind them, for the par- 

 p.>se of shooting Deer and other wild animals. Eaeh hill is com- 

 posed of an exterior and an interior part. The exterior cover is a large 



clay shell, shaped like a dome, of strength and magnitude sufficient 

 lo enclose an-d protect the interior biaildin-g from the injuries of the 

 weathe-r r aad to defend its numerous iahabifcaats from the attacks of 

 natural off accidental enemies. 



When a. breach is made, by an axe o-r other instrument, in any of 

 the walls, the first object that attracts attention, is the behaviour of 

 Jie soldiers or fighting insects. Immediately after the blow is given, 

 & soldier domes out, walks- about the breach, and seems to examine 



