$28 , INSECTA—TERMITES. 
which is the habitable part, divided with a wonderful kind of segularity and 
contrivance, into an amazing number of apartments for the residence of the 
king and queen, and the nursing of their numerous progeny; or for maga- 
zines, which are always found well filled with stores and provisions. 
“‘ These hills make their first appearance above ground by a little turret or 
two in the shape of sugar-loaves, which are run a foot high or more. Soon 
after, at some little distance, while the former are increasing in height end 
size, they raise others, and so go on increasing the number and widening 
‘them at the base, till their works below are coyered with these turrets, which 
they always raise the highest and largest in the middle, and by filling up the 
‘ntervals between each turret, collect them as it were into one dome. They 
are made very solid and strong, and when by the junction of them the dome 
is completed, for which purpose the turrets answer as scaffolds, they take 
away the middle ones entirely, except the tops (which joined together make 
the crown of the cupola,) and apply the clay to the building of the works 
within, or to erecting fresh turrets for the purpose of raising the hillock still 
higher; so that no doubt some part of the clay is used several times, like the 
boards and posts of a mason’s scaffold. 
“‘ When these hills are at their full height, they answer excellently as places 
to look out. I have been with four men on the top of one of these hillocks. 
Whenever word was brought us of a vessel in sight, we immediately ran to 
some bugga bug hill, as they are called, andclambered up to get a good view, 
for upon the common surface it was seldom possible to see over the grass or 
plants. pe Vee 
‘“‘ The interior parts of these buildings are disposed nearly as follows : 
““Thevroyal chamber, which I call so on account of its being occupied by 
the king and queen, is situated at about a level with the surface of the ground, 
at an equal distance from all the sides of the building; and directly under the 
apex of the hill. ‘ 
“Tt is on all sides, both above and below, surrounded by what I should 
call the royal apartments, which have only laborers and soldiers in them, 
and can be intended for no other purpose than for these to wait in, either te 
guard or serve their common father and mother, on whose safety depends 
the happiness, and, according to the negroes, even the existence, of the whole 
community. These apartments compose an intricate labyrinth, which ex- 
tends a foot or more in diameter from the royal chamber on every side. 
Here the nurseries and magazines of provisions begin, and, being separated 
by small empty chambers and galleries, which go round them or communi- 
cate from one to the other, are continued onall sides to the outward shell, 
and reach up within it two thirds or three fourths of its height, leaving an 
open area in the middle under the dome, which very much resembles the nave 
of an oid cathedral: this is surrounded by three or four very large Gothic 
shaped arenes. which are sometimes two or three feet high next the front of 
the area, but diminish very rapidly as they recede from thence like the arches 
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