TERMITES FROM BRITISH INDIA. 106 



one-tliird of fungus beds examined, yet more than 550 guests 

 taken. " (Assmuth). 



GoDHEA, 28-12-1911. — "Termites on trunk of tree in covered 

 galleries. No trace of nest rising above ground to be seen, but 

 underground between roots of tree several holes with small bits of 

 fungus-beds found. " (Assmuth.) — This is the first time when 

 Assmuth saw fungus-growing termites in galleries on tree. It 

 seems, however, not to be quite so rare an occurrence, for I previ- 

 ously received such termites from Ceylon, Malacca, and Java. 

 Fungus-growing termites are met with as noxious insects on india- 

 rubber trees in Java as well as Malacca (Dannemann, von Buttel- 

 •Eeepen). Moreover, Odontotermes Assmidhi described below, is un- 

 doubtedly a fungus-grower, yet the specimens were collected in 

 galleries on a tree. 



GoDHRA, 28-12-1911. — " In dry cow-dung hollowed out by 

 termites. " (Assmuth.) 



GoDHRA, 28-12-1911. — Tall mound abandoned by termites. 

 Fungus-beds found only in portion of nest below level of surround- 

 ing ground. " There big hole divided into chambers by thin par- 

 titions like folding screens ; I looked in vain for some definite plan 

 in arrangement of chambers in which fungus-beds were stored. '" 

 (Assmuth.) — Build of nest same as in 0. hangalorensis. 



Vadtal, 31-12-1911. — In logs of fire-wood ; tunnels coated with 

 earthy material. 



Anand, 4-1-1912. — " Nest under well developed shrub in Cactus 

 hedge, by side of foot-path. No overground structure, which seems 

 to be wanting everywhere in cultivated districts of Gujerat. That 

 such is really the case I have repeatedly been told by persons well 

 acquainted with the country. (See also Haviland. Obeervations 

 on Termites, Linn. Journ. Zool. Vol. XXVII, p. 368, " .... the 

 appearance and shape of the nests are much modified by conditions ; 

 thus the mound-builders can live without a mound in cultivated 

 ground, where mounds are not permitted. ") Fungus beds under- 

 ground from about 2 feet downwards. Guests the same as with 

 Odontoterones obesus generally. Shrub as well as Cactus above the 

 nest covered with galleries and extensive coatings of earthy mate- 

 rial, under which surface of bark had been gnawed by termites. " 

 (Assmuth.) 



TuWA, 4-1-1912. — "In galleries of earthy material, on pipul 

 tree. " (Assmuth.) 



TuwA, 4-1-1912. — " In half dried cow-dung, hollowed out by 

 termites. " (Assmuth.) 



Odontotermes hangalorensis, Holmgr. (nee hengahnsis, Holmgr). 

 Imago. — Very similar to 0. Bedemanni from Cejdon, but much 

 lighter in colour : yellowish brown to pale j^ellow. T-shaped mark 

 of the pronotum broader ; light-coloured parts otherwise about the 

 14 



