458 THE WHITE ANTS. 



operations they perform with wonderful sagacity, 

 regularity, and foresight. 



The nurseries are inclosed in chambers of clay, 

 like those which contain the provisions ; but they 

 are much larger. In the early state of the nest, 

 they are not bigger than a hazel nut; but, in great 

 hills, they are often four or five inches across. 



The royal chamber, as we have observed, is si- 

 tuated as nearly under the apex of the hill as pos- 

 sible, and is surrounded on all sides, both above and 

 below, by what Mr. Smeathman calls the royal, 

 apartments, which contain only labourers and sol- 

 diers, that can be intended for no other purpose 

 than to continue in the nest either to guard or 

 serve their common parents, on whose safety the 

 happiness, and probably the existence, of the whole 

 community depend. These apartments compose 

 an intricate labyrinth, which extends a foot or more 

 in diameter from the royal chamber on every side. 

 Here the nut series and magazines of provisions 

 begin; and, being separated by small empty cham- 

 bers and galleries, which surround them, and com- 

 municate with each other, are continued on all 

 sides to the outward shell, and reach up within two 

 thirds or three fourths of its height, leaving an open 

 area in the middle under the dome, which resem- 

 bles the nave of an old gothic cathedral. This 

 area is surrounded by large gothic arches, which are 

 sometimes two or three feet high next to the front 

 of the area, but diminish rapidly as they recede, 

 ]ike the arches of aisles in perspectives, and are 



