100 Mr. T. S. Savage on the Termitida? of West Africa. 



pany the labourers and are found with them in their covered ways 

 along the sills, floors and roofs of our houses, differ palpably in 

 these respects from those of T. bellicosus. I made known my 

 doubts on this point to my correspondent Mr. Westwood of 

 London, proving the truth of my statement by specimens taken 

 from my own dwellings, but, unfortunately, the bottles containing 

 them were broken, and I failed of my object. I consider these 

 house-eaters as the T. arhorum of Smeathman. One of their 

 nests, indeed, I found in the roof of my office, and by them great 

 damage was done to the building ; besides many books were de- 

 stroyed, having been eaten through and through. Another nest 

 also was found in a small out-building ; the insects of these two 

 nests corresponded to those found in my dwellings, &c, while 

 marked differences existed between the latter and T. bellicosus. 

 I regret exceedingly that the steps to prove this opinion have 

 failed in the manner above stated. I hesitate not, however, to 

 assert it, confirmed as it is by other observers. 



Hills dissected. 



Hill 1st. — Opened 22nd March, 1842. General outlines very 

 much like those of a hay-stack ; situated in a valley. 



Measurement. 



Circumference at base 34 ft. 



„ at § height from base . . . 25 „ 



Height from apex to base on the surface . . 13 „ 



„ „ „ perpendicular . * 9 t> 



The work was begun with three men at 20 minutes past 4 p.m., 

 and required 2| hours to accomplish it. * 



The material was red clay, obtained about two feet below the 

 surface-soil, the latter being a mixture of sand and decayed vege- 

 table matter brought down from the surrounding hills. The 

 surface was highly indurated, receiving a slight impression from 

 a single blow of the mattock. 



The order first seen was the workers, who instantly retreated 

 on exposure to the external air. They were succeeded by one 

 and then another, and then many of the larger class of soldiers, 

 who, rushing out in great rage with jaws extended, threatened 

 vengeance on the intruders. 



The experiment of permitting them to bite was tried several 

 times, when it was perceived that a drop of brownish fluid was 

 exuded upon the part. The sensation was like that of a minute 

 sharp-cutting instrument, the jaws moving in cross direction like 

 scissors. 



On breaking several of the upward projections or " turrets," 

 they were perceived to be hollow, leading into the " dome," and 



