PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



35 



in less than half an hour they will retire into the nest ; and 

 before they have all entered, you will see the labourers in 

 motion, hastening in various directions towards the breach, 

 every one carrying in his mouth a mass of mortar half as big 

 as his body \ ready tempered : — this mortar is made of the 

 finer parts of the gravel, which they probably select in the 

 subterranean pits or passages before described, which, worked 

 up to a proper consistence, hardens to the solid substance 

 resembling stone, of which their nests are constructed. As 

 fast as they come up, each sticks its burden upon the breach ; 

 and this is done with so much regularity and despatch, that 

 although thousands, nay millions, are employed, they never 

 appear to embarrass or interrupt one another. By the united 

 labours of such an infinite host of creatures the wall soon rises, 

 and the breach is repaired. 



While the labourers are thus employed, almost all the 

 soldiers have retired quite out of sight, except here and there 

 one, who saunters about amongst them, but never assists in 

 the work. One in particular places himself close to the wall 

 which they are building ; and turning himself leisurely on all 

 sides, as if to survey the proceedings, appears to act the part 

 of an overseer of the works. Every now and then, at the 

 interval of a minute or two, by lifting up his head and strik- 

 ing with his forceps upon the wall of the nest, he makes a 

 particular noise, which is answered by a loud hiss from all the 

 labourers, and appears to be a signal for despatch ; for, every 

 time it is heard, they may be seen to redouble their pace, and 

 apply to their work with increased diligence. Renew the 

 attack, and this amusing scene will be repeated : — in rush 

 the labourers, all disappearing in a few seconds, and out march 

 the military as numerous and vindictive as before. When 

 all is once more quiet, the busy labourers re-appear, and re- 

 sume their work, and the soldiers vanish. Repeat the ex- 

 periment a hundred times, and the same will always be the 

 result ; — you will never find, be the peril or emergency ever 



1 The anonymous author before alluded to, who observed the Ceylon white 

 ants, says, that such was the size of the masses, which were tempered with a 

 strong gluten, that thev adhered though laid on the upper part of the breach. 



D 2 



