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Chapter XVI. 



Structures of White Ants, or Termites. 



When we look back upon the details which we have 

 given of the industry and ingenuity of numerous 

 tribes of insects, both solitary and social, we are 

 induced to think it almost impossible that they could 

 be surpassed. The structures of wasps and bees, 

 and still more those of the wood-ant {Formica tufa), 

 when placed in comparison with the size of the 

 insects, equal our largest cities compared with the 

 stature of man. But when we look at the build- 

 ings erected by the white ants of tropical climates, 

 all that we have been surveying dwindles into in- 

 significance. Their industry appears greatly to sur- 

 pass that of our ants and bees, and they are cer- 

 tainly more skilful in architectural contrivances. The 

 elevation, also, of their edifices is more than five 

 hundred times the height of the builders. Were 

 our houses built according to the same proportions, 

 they would be twelve or fifteen times higher than 

 the London Monument, and four or five times 

 higher than the pyramids of Egypt, with corre- 

 sponding dimensions in the basements of the edi- 

 fices. These statements are, perhaps, necessary to 

 impress the extraordinary labours of ants upon the 

 mind ; for we are all more or less sensible to the 

 force of comparisons. The analogies between the 

 works of insects and of men are not perfect ; for in- 

 sects are all provided with instruments peculiarly 

 adapted to the end which they instinctively seek, 

 while man has to form a plan by progressive thought 



