30 



PEKFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



The first establishment of a colony of Termites takes place 

 in the following manner. In the evening, soon after the first 

 tornado, which at the latter end of the dry season proclaims 

 the approach of the ensuing rains, these animals, having at- 

 tained to their perfect state, in which they are furnished and 

 adorned with two pair of wings, emerge from their clay-built 

 citadels by myriads and myriads to seek their fortune. Borne 

 on these ample wings, and carried by the wind, they fill the 

 air, entering the houses, extinguishing the lights, and even 

 sometimes being driven on board the ships that are not far 

 from the shore. The next morning they are discovered 

 covering the surface of the earth and waters : deprived of the 

 wings which before enabled them to avoid their numerous 

 enemies, and which are only calculated to carry them a few 

 hours, and looking like large maggots; from the most active, in- 

 dustrious, and rapacious, they are now become the most helpless 

 and cowardly beings in nature, and the prey of innumerable 

 enemies, to the smallest of which they make not the least resist- 

 ance. Insects, especially ants, which are always on the hunt 

 for them, leaving no place unexplored ; birds, reptiles, beasts, 

 and even man himself, look upon this event as their harvest, 

 and, as you have been told before, make them their food ; so 

 that scarcely a single pair in many millions get into a place of 

 safety, fulfil the first law of nature, and lay the foundation of 

 a new community. At this time they are seen running upon the 

 ground, the male after the female, and sometimes two chasing 

 one, and contending with great eagerness, regardless of the 

 innumerable dangers that surround them, who shall win the 

 prize. 



The Avorkers, who are continually prowling about in their 

 covered ways, occasionally meet with one of these pairs, and, 

 being impelled by their instinct, pay them homage, and they 

 are elected as it were to be king and queen, or rather father 



males. Huber seems to doubt their being neuters. Nouv. Obs. ii. 444. note *. 

 Great differences of opinion continue to exist amongst entomologists as to the real 

 nature of the individuals above described of this very anomalous tribe, for 

 the details of which, and of the arguments employed, see Westwood, Mod. ClassiJ. 

 of Ins. ii. 15. 



