836 INSECTA—TERMITES. 
ing water is poured upon them. Those that are dried upon hot plates are 
the blackest. What we call the cochineal are only the females, for the 
males are a sort of fly. They are used both for dyeing and medicine, and 
are said to have much the same virtue as the kermes, though they are 
now seldom used alone, but are mixed with other things for the sake of the 
color. 
TERMITES, “OR WHITE ANTS.) 
Or this curious insect, Mr Smeathman has given, in the Philosophical 
Transactions, so full and interesting an account, that we cannot do better 
than quote from it. ‘‘ Of a great many curious parts of the creation, (says 
he,) which I met with in Guinea, the termites, or white ants, seemed most 
worthy of minute attention. 
“The size and figure of their buildings have attracted the notice of many 
travellers, and yet the world has not hitherto been furnished with a tolerable 
description of them, though, when we come to consider the wonderful order 
of these insects, and of their subterraneous cities, they will appear foremost 
on the list of the wonders of the creation. 
“These insects are known by various names. They belong to the termes 
of Linnzus, and other systematic naturalists. 
“‘ By the English, in the windward parts of Africa, they are called bugga 
bugs. In the West Indies, wood lice, wood ants, or white ants. By the 
French, at Senegal, vague vagues. In the West Indies, poux de bois, or 
fourmis blanches. By the Portuguese in the Brazils, coupée, or cutters, 
from their cutting things in pieces. By this latter name, and that of piercers 
or eaters, and similar terms, they are distinguished in various parts of the 
tropical regions. 
“Of every species of the termites there are three orders; first, the work- 
ing insects, which I shall call laborers; next, the fighting ones, or soldiers, 
waiza do no kind of labor; and, last of all, the winged ones, or perfect in- 
sects, which are male and female, and capable of propagation. These might 
very appositely be called the nobility or gentry, for they neither labor nor 
fight, being quite incapable of either, and almost of self-defence. These 
only are capable of being elected kings or queens; and nature has so order- 
ed it, tnat they emigrate within a few weeks, after they are elevated to 
this state, and either establish new kingdoms, or perish within a day or two. 
* The termes bellicosus, being the largest species, is best known on the 
coast of Africa. It erects immense buildings of well-tempered clay or earth, 


1 The order of Neuroptera have four naked, reticulated, transparent wings; month pro- 
per formastication ; jaws and lips straight, extended ; joints of the tarsi various, generally 
entire. 
