go6 Microscopical Essays, 



poflefs themfelves by force of a lodgment, and fo are frequently 

 diflodged from the fame neft, and taken for the fame kind of 

 infecls. This is often the cafe with the nefts of the fmaller fpe- 

 cies, which are frequently totally abandoned by the termites, and 

 completely inhabited by different fpecies of ants, cockroaches, 

 fcolopendras, fcorpions, and other vermin fond of obfcure retreats, 

 that occupy different parts of their roomy buildings. 



In the winged ftate they have alfo much altered their fize as, 

 well as form. Their bodies now meafure between fix and feven- 

 tenths of an inch in length, and their wings above two inches 

 and a half from tip to tip, and they are equal in bulk to about 

 thirty labourers, or two foldiers. They are now alfo furnifhed 

 with two large eyes placed on each fide of the head, and very 

 confpicuous ; if they have any before, they are not eafily to be 

 diftinguilhed. Probably, in the two firft ftates, their eyes, if they 

 have any, may be fmall like thofe of moles ; for as they live like 

 thefe animals always under ground, they have as little occafion 

 for thefe organs, and it is not to be wondered at that we do not 

 difcover them ; but the cafe is much altered when they arrive at 

 the winged ftate, in which they are to roam,, though but for a 

 few hours, through the wide air, and explore new and diftant 

 regions. In this form the animal comes abroad during, or foon 

 after, the firft tornado, which at the latter end of the dry feafon 

 proclaims the approach of the enfuing rains, and feldom waits for 

 a. fecond or third fhower ; if the firft, as is generally the cafe, 

 happens in the night,, and brings much wet after it, the quantities- 

 that are to be found the next morning all over the furface of the 

 earth, but particularly on the waters, is aftoniftiing ; for their 

 wings are only calculated. to carry them a few hours; and after, 



