479 



any serious damage, being more of a nuisance from the nips the 

 powerful mandibles of the soldiersxan inflict on the coolies pluck- 

 ing the nuts. 



When the plantations are allowed to grow up in grass, the 

 termites do not seem to ascend the trees. 



Termes Mai ay anus. 



This is the species usually written of under the name of Termes 

 bellicosus, which is an allied form, confined to Africa. The nest 

 of the species varies much in shape according to the age of the 

 community and the type of soil in which it has been built, but 

 large mounds may be as much as six feet high and thirty feet in 

 circumference. It has been well described and figured by Havil- 

 land (Journ. Linn. Soc. Zool., XXVI., pp. 381 et seq.) and I can 

 confirm his observations in every respect. 



The species constructs globular honey-combed masses of 

 comminuted woody fibre and cultivates a species of fungus thereon, 

 on which the young are fed. There is not the slightest evidence 

 that this species does anv harm to living plants, and much to the 

 contrary, and it is a very moot point as to whether the money 

 spent in eradicating their nests might not be better employed in 

 other directions. Should, however, the nests be destroyed care 

 should be taken that the whole mound is thoroughly levelled and 

 the earth well broken up and exposed to the sun. It is of no use 

 capturing the king and queen, as the community possesses the 

 power of rapidly replacing them by special treatment of certain 

 larval forms. The lenticular chambers seen on the sides of road- 

 cuttings, etc., are in the majority of instances young communities 

 or colonies from a large mound either of this or a closely allied 

 species. 



Termes paliidus. 



A very much smaller species generally found nesting in the 

 outer shell of the mounds of the preceding species. It also is a 

 fungus grower and appears to be equally harmless. 



Termes sulphureus. 



A small species readily recognised by its arched abdomen, 

 which is coloured pale primrose yellow. The nests of old and 

 undisturbed communities are roughly cylindrical, tapering some- 

 what at the summit. Large nests are four or five feet in height 

 and rather less in diameter, and are composed of a blackish grey 

 material, more honey-combed and with far less earthy matter 

 than that forming the nests of T. malayamis, and often excessively 

 hard. The species is commoner on hill than on flat land and is 

 not injurious. 



Termes lacessitus. 



Occasionally seen on the trunks of Para and Rambong but not 

 doing any damage. Nest of papery material, usually on trees and 

 shrubs in secondary jungle. A species of no economic importance. 



