476 J. C. BRANNER GEOLOGIC WORK OP ANTS 



appear thus far that such exposure influences the location or size of the 

 mounds, even in the southern part of Brazil, where the sun is on the 

 north most or all of the year. 



The White Ants, or Termites 

 general characteristics 



The so-called white ants, or termites, belong to the Isoptera, and arc 

 therefore not ants at all. They are included in this paper solely on 

 account of the geologic work done by them in the tropics, which bears a 

 certain similarity to the geologic work of the true ants. 



In Brazil the white ants are commonly known by the name of cupiw. 

 In their habits the white ants both resemble and differ from the true 

 ants. They generally avoid the light, carrying on their work, even when 

 it is above ground, in galleries which they construct as they go. Their 

 nests are sometimes attached to tree trunks or rocks, but they are often 

 built directly upon the ground. Not infrequently these nests are as 

 large, or even larger, than the nests of the true ants, but they are very 

 different in shape and character. 



ABUNDANCE 



Here, again, I am unable to give anything regarding the biology of the 

 white ants.^^ 



Dr. Fritz Muller, who lived for many years in southern Brazil, reports 

 15 or 16 species of termites in that part of the countr}^, but not all of 

 these live on or in the ground. 



M. Jules Desneux, in his monograph on the Termitidae, reports 45 

 species from Brazil and some 15 or more from other tropical parts of 

 America. 



White ants, like other animals, are not evenly distributed in the tropi- 

 cal parts of South America. They are so much less ol)trusive and pug- 

 nacious, however, that they do not attract the attention as prornptly as 

 do the true ants. 



Azara says he has seen these insects during the mating season filling 

 the air for more than a mile.^^ 



37 For the benefit of those who are interested in the biology of white ants I cite the 

 following : 



K. Escherich : Die Termiten oder weissen Ameisen. Eine Biologische Studie, vol. xii, 

 p. 198. Leipsig, 1909. 



Genera Insectorum publies par P. Wytsman. Fasc. 25, Isoptera, fam. Termitidae par 

 Jules Desneux. Bruxelles, 1904. 



38 Don Felix de Azara : Voyages dans I'Amerique Meridionale, t. i, p. 192. Paris, 1809. 



