TERMITES (WHITE ANTS). 131 
Summarising the existing knowledge of the Termitide, Dr. Sharp reports that 
the number of described species does not exceed a hundred, and that very probably 
there are as many as one thousand in existence. Australia, while yielding probably 
for its area the largest and most diversified variety of specific forms and the 
most remarkable architectural modifications of termite habitations, has, so far, been 
practically neglected by scientific specialists, and consequently offers a most rich and 
almost virgin field to the Termitologist. It is hoped by the writer that the data 
concerning the more noteworthy habits and fabrications of this insect group embodied 
in this Chapter, will prove a stimulus to readers residing in tropical Australian 
districts to devote some attention to the study of such varieties as may be peculiar 
to their neighbourhoods. By so doing, and by combining with their recorded notes 
the conservation in alcohol or, possibly, more readily accessible whisky, of specimen 
samples of the variously modified individuals found in each specific form of mound or 
subterranean gallery, they will render valuable service to science. While assisting 
science they will also gain to themselves that newer interest and zest in life which 
is so often wanting to the isolated Australian settler. For the frequently enforced 
monotony of such a calling there is no panacea so sure as an intelligently bestridden 
natural history hobby. 
AAD 
ONE >, a 
AOI t 0 Ans 
WHS 
W. Saville-Kent del. 
Trichonympha Leidyi, S.-A., INFUSORIAL PARASITES OF THE TASMANIAN WHITE ANT, EXHIBITING DIVERSE PROTEAN MODIFICATIONS. 
MAGNIFIED 600 DIAMETERS. p. 127. 
