.82 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



elliptic bridges are formed, which save much 

 labour and distance : these bridges are very 

 slight and elegant, and are furnished on each side 

 with a kind of parapet wall to prevent the la- 

 bourers from falling over with their burdens. 

 The width of these beautifulbridges is frequently 

 less than half an inch. 



268. The royal chamber contains, besides the 

 king and queen, numerous labourers and soldiers : 

 the labourers are incessantly engaged in feeding 

 the royal pair, or carrying away the eggs laid by 

 the queen ; the soldiers apparently act merely as 

 a guard of honour, as there is never any demon- 

 stration of rebellion or ill-will on the part of the 

 subjects. 



269. If any accident happens to the building 

 by the tread of some large animal, or the wilful 

 aggression of the inquiring traveller, the soldiers 

 instantly ap])ear in the breach, at first two or three, 

 then more, and if the attack continues they issue 

 forth by hundreds, and even thousands ; being 

 provided with immense jaws, they bite with ex- 

 ceeding sharpness, and never relinquish their 

 hold. 



270. When the aggressor has retreated, the 

 soldiers retire within the building, and the la- 

 bourers, who had during the attack kept closely 

 within, hasten to repair the breach, each carrying 

 in his mouth a mass of clay ready prepared for 

 use, which on being placed instantly adheres, and 



