296 Microscopical Essays. 



Thefe hills continue quite bare until they are fix or eight feet 

 high ; but in time the dead barren clay, of which they are com-* 

 pofed, becomes fertilized by the genial power of the elements in 

 thefe prolific climates, and the addition of vegetable falts and 

 other matters brought by the wind ; and in the fecond or third 

 year, the hillock, if not over-lhaded by trees, becomes like the 

 reft of the earth, almoft covered with grafs and other plants ; 

 and in the dry feafon, when the herbage is burnt up by the rays 

 of the fun, it is not much unlike a very large hay-cock. 



Every one of thefe buildings confifts of two diftincl: parts, the 

 exterior and the interior. . 



The exterior is one large fhell, in the manner of a dome, large 

 and flrong enough to inclofe and fhelter the interior from the 

 vicifhtudes of the weather, and the inhabitants from the attacks 

 of natural or accidental enemies. It is always, therefore, much 

 flronger than the interior building, which is the habitable part, 

 divided with a wonderful kind of regularity and contrivance into 

 an amazing number of apartments, for the refidence of the king 

 and queen, and the nurfmg of their numerous progeny; or for 

 magazines, which are always found well filled with ftores and 

 provifions. 



Thefe hills make their firft appearance above ground by a 

 little turret or two, in the fhape of fugar loaves, which are run a 

 foot high, or more ; foon after, at fome little diftance, while the 

 former are increafing in height and fize. they raife others, and fo 

 go on increafing the number, and widening them at the bafe, till 

 'their works below are covered with thefe turrets, which they 



always 



