28 



PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



white ants belong to the former of these classes, and the social 

 Hymenoptera to the latter. 



Before I begin with the history of the societies of white 

 ants, I must notice a remark that has been made applying to 

 societies in general — that numbers are essential to the full 

 development of the instinct of social animals. This has been 

 observed by Bonnet with respect to the beaver 1 ; by Reaumur 

 of the hive-bee ; and by M. P. Huber of the humble-bee. 2 

 Amongst hymenopterous social insects, however, the observ- 

 ation seems not universally applicable, but only under par- 

 ticular circumstances; for in incipient societies of ants, 

 humble-bees, and wasps, one female lays the foundation of 

 them at first by herself, and the first brood of neuters 

 that is hatched is very small. 



I have on a former occasion given you some account of 

 the devastation produced by the white ants, or Termites, the 

 species of which constitute the first class of perfect socie - 

 ties ; I shall now relate to you some further particulars of 

 their history, which will, I hope, give you a better opinion 

 of them. 



The majority of these animals are natives of tropical coun- 

 tries, though two species are indigenous to Europe; one of 

 which, thought to have been imported, is come so near to us 

 as Bourdeaux. The fullest account hitherto given of their his- 

 tory is that of Mr. Smeathman, in the Philo sop] deal Trans- 

 actions for 1781 ; which, since it has in many particulars been 

 confirmed by the observations of succeeding naturalists, though 

 in some things he was evidently mistaken, I shall abridge for 

 you, correcting him where he appears to be in error, and add- 

 ing from Latreille, and the MS. of a French naturalist resident 

 on the spot, kindly furnished by Professor Hooker, what they 

 have observed with respect to those of Bourdeaux and Ceylon. 

 The white ants, though they belong to the Neuroptera order, 

 borrow their instinct from the hymenopterous social tribes, 

 and in conjunction with the ants (Formica) connect the two 

 orders. Their societies consist of five descriptions of in- 



1 (Euv.'w. 163. 



2 M. P. Huber in Linn. Trans, vi. 256. Reaum. v. 



