PORCHES, EAVES, AND WINDOWS. 



183 



feeds almost wholly on Termites. At night it issues from its 

 burrow, and, being armed with large and powerful claws, tears 

 a great hole in the side, and devours the inmates. 



These deserted nests are sometimes used as ovens, as we have 

 already seen, a fire having been kindled within them for some 

 time, the meat, well enveloped in leaves, being thrust into 

 them, and the opening closed with clay. Sometimes they are 

 used as graves, the corpse being placed in them, and the hollow 

 filled up with earth, while the wall of the Termite nest, when 

 pounded and mixed with water, is found to be the most tenacious 

 clay that can be used for building or flooring huts. 



Porches, Eaves, and Windows. 



We now come to some of the appendages of a house, nameiy, 

 the Porch by which the rain is kept from a doorway, the Eaves 

 by which it is kept from the walls, and the Windows which 

 will admit light and air, but will prevent the entrance of 

 intruders. 



We first take the Porch, two examples of which are shown 

 in the accompanying illustration, one being the work of human 

 hands, and the other that of an insect. 



The figure on the right hand represents an old-fashioned 

 Porch, such as is often to be seen attached to old village 

 churches, and which, being furnished with seats, serves also as 

 a resting-place for those who are weary. 



NESTS OF MVRAPETRA, WITH PORCHES. 



The figure on the left hand of the illustration is a wonderful 

 example of the Porch, as constructed by insects. It is the 



