128 THE NATURALIST IN AUSTRALIA. 
their shoulders. The mazy evolutions and gyrations of the more modern skirt-dance 
would probably provide an equally apposite simile. A phenomenon observed by the 
author of the Tasmanian Trichonymphe, but not recorded of the American type, was 
the circumstance that they customarily anchored themselves by the longer posterior 
cilia to organic débris or other convenient fulchra, and, thus attached, spun to and 
fro after the manner of extemporised roasting jacks, but with great rapidity. The 
writer was much disappointed in finding no Trichonymphide within the intestinal 
tracts of the many large nest-building tropical Australian termites examined. A distinct 
variety was, however, found associated with the large wood-destroying species figured 
on Page 103. Similar infusorial parasites have been reported, but not specifically 
described as infesting the European Termes lucifugus. M. C. Lespes has recorded that 
they constitute the greater portion of the brown pulp of which the contents of the 
intestine of this species are composed. Dr. Haviland also reports them as being 
very abundant in various Singapore species. In examining these parasitic Infusoria, 
Dr. Leidy found that they could be kept alive for some time by transferring them from 
the termite’s intestine to a small drop of the white of egg. By similarly employing 
diluted milk the author was able to keep and examine the Tasmanian species under 
the microscope for lengthened periods. 
Through the kind courtesy of Drs. D. Sharp, F.R.S., and J. D. Haviland, the 
writer has been afforded the opportunity, while concluding this Chapter, of glancing 
through the proof-sheets of the article on the Termitide, edited by Dr. Sharp, which 
will be included in the forthcoming Insecta volumes of the Cambridge Natural 
History.* It embraces the results of the most recent investigations of this remark- 
able insect group, including the record of extensive and valuable researches prosecuted 
by. Dr. Haviland at Singapore and in South Africa. In this last-named region it 
is interesting to observe that Dr. Haviland was fortunate enough to discover a form 
closely identical in structure and habits with the remarkable Marching Termite, the 
Termes viarum of Smeathman, described over a century ago, but of which no recent 
knowledge had been recorded. Like Termes viaruwm, the workers and soldiers of this 
Natal species, which Dr. Sharp has appropriately named Hodotermes Havilandi, are 
possessed of facetted eyes, all of the ordinary forms being blind, and come abroad during 
the heat of the day to cut and carry the grass and foliage upon which they principally 
feed. The subterranean galleries of this Natal type measured one-third of an inch 
* Now published. Macmillan & Co. 
