NEUROPTERA. vo 
chairs, furniture of all kinds, and the planks, timbers, &e. &c. which 
form parts of houses. There they excavate galleries, which form 
so many roads, all leading to the centre of their domicil, and these 
bodies thus mined, and retaining nothing but a superficial bark or 
covering, soon crumble into dust(1). If compelled by any insur- 
mountable obstacle to leave their dwellings, they construct tubes or 
ways which still keep them fram sight. The nests or domicils of 
several species are exterior, but have no visible opening. Sometimes 
they are raised above the surface-of the ground, in the form of py- 
ramids or turrets, occasionally surmounted with a capital or very 
solid roof, which by their height and number, resemble a little vil- 
lage. Sometimes they form a large globular mass on the branches 
- of trees. Another sort of individuals, the newters, also called sol- 
diers, and which Fabricius erroneously considers as nymphs, defend 
the domicil. They are distinguished by their stouter and more 
elongated head, the mandibles of which are also longer, narrower 
and considerably crossed. They are much less numerous than the 
ethers, and remain near the surface of the habitation, are the first 
that present themselves in case of an attack, and pinch with conside- 
rable strength. It is also said that they force the labourers to work. 
The seminymphs have rudiments of wings, and in other respects 
resemble the larve. 
Having become perfect Insects, the Termites leave their original 
retreat, and fly off at evening or during the night in incalculable 
numbers. At sunrise, they lose their wings, which are dried up, 
fall to the ground, and are mostly devoured by Birds, Lizards, and 
the rest of their enemies. According to Smeathmann, the larve seize 
upon all the couples they can find, and shut them up ina large cell, 
a sort of nuptial prison, where they supply them with nourishment. 
I have reason to believe, however, that their coitus, like that of the 
Ant, takes place in the air or beyond the precincts of their habita- 
tion, and that the females alone occupy the attention of the larve, 
“with a view to the formation of a new colony. The abdomen of the 
female acquires an astonishing size, from the innumerable quantity 
of ova contained in it. The nuptial chamber is placed in the centre 
of the dwelling, and round it, symmetrically arranged, are the cells 
which contain the eggs and provisions. 
The larve of certain Termites called voyageurs or travellers, are 
(1) I saw a beautiful edifice in the Isle of France that was abandoned within 
a few months after it was completed, on this account. The whole building was a 
mere shell. 4m. Ed. 
Vou. [V.—K 
