TERMITES (WHITE ANTS) 



329 



crowbar to demolish them. Tlie material out of which 

 they are constructeti is in some cases wood that has 

 passed one or more times through tlie alimentary canal 

 of the termites, and the material is cemented together 

 by a secretion furnished by glands. Smeathman des- 

 cribed the nest of Ternics heUicosua as consisting of clay- 

 like material cemented by their secretions to a very firm 

 consistence. 



In some parts these nests or termitaria are so numer- 

 ous that they appear clustered together like huts in a 



The (^hieen in the Royal Cell. The abiloraen, in consequence 

 of the formation of eggs within it, grows enormously. 

 The number of eggs she produces is prodigious. 



native village. They may be ten, twelve, and even 

 eighteen feet high. Within these firm shelters the 

 termites are protected from the vicissitudes of the 

 weather and attacks from natural enemies. 



The outer shell of the nest is not only useful to 

 protect the community, but it preserves a regular degree 

 of warmth which is very necessary for the development 

 of the eggs and the growth of the young. The cj[ueen's 

 cell is situated in the middle of the nest, and the 

 entrances to it will not admit anything larger than the 

 soldiers and workers. The royal cell is surrounded by 

 a great number of chambers of various shapes and 

 sizes, all of which intercommunicate and form an 



