78 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



injures or endangers the safety of the nest ; this 

 duty they perform with the most reckless bravery, 

 the labourers retiring within the nest during the 

 time of danger. 



248. The offices of the labourers are manifold : 

 they take the eggs from the queen as fast as she 

 lays them, convey them to the nurseries, tend 

 them till hatched ; they feed the young, they store 

 provisions, build the nest, repair damages, and 

 perform every kind of labour requisite for the 

 good of the community. 



249. The nests of the white ants are formed 

 entirely of clay ; they are about twelve feet high, 

 and broad in proportion. The first step in the 

 erection of these structures is the elevation of two 

 or three turrets, about a foot high, and in shape 

 like a sugarloaf. 



250. These turrets rapidly increase in number 

 and height, until at length being widened at the 

 base, joined at the top into one dome, and con- 

 solidated all round into a thick wall of clay, tliey 

 assume the shape of a haycock, which soon be- 

 comes clothed with grass. 



251. When the building has assumed this its 

 final form, the inner turrets, all but the tops, whicli 

 project like pinnacles from difterent parts of it, are 

 removed, and the clay is used for other purposes. 



252. The upper portion, or dome, which is very 

 strong and solid, serving as a defence from the 

 weather and the attacks of enemies, is left empty : 



