198 THE TERMITES. 



we always find them in pairs ; a larger one is closely chased 

 by a smaller and seized in its jaws. Then both run round 



r'ckly, and try to pull off their loosely attached wings with 

 ir feet. The picture is also enlivened in another fashion. 

 Countless insectivorous quadrupeds, birds, lizards, snakes, 

 and frogs have gathered. The unarmed Termites, now 

 incapable of flight, are swallowed in masses, and even man 

 finds the food a dainty. If we follow yet further the life- 

 path of these scarcely -born creatures, we shall find few of 

 these myriads alive on the following morning. Those which 

 did not fall a prey to the rage of hunger, wander about 

 shelterless, or are caught by the Termites' workers, now 

 busily creeping about, and are selected for the future heads 

 of families," etc. All the males and fertile females which 

 are not chosen and protected in this way are fated to perish. 

 " The manner," says Smeathman, " in which the workers 

 protect the fortunate elected pair from their numerous 

 enemies, not only on the day of the general massacre but 

 for a long time afterwards, justifies my expression ' election.' 

 The little busy creatures at once shut up their chosen in a 

 room of clay, which at first has only a single small entrance, 

 which lets pass themselves and the soldiers, but not the royal 

 pair. Later on several entrances are made, but always so 

 that the care of defence and nourishment is left to the people 

 alone." 



