16 BULLETIN 1232, XJ. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. * 
long built by these termites during the interval. A photograph was 
taken of this newly made gallery (PL VIII, A). Soldiers were on 
guard at the openings of this gallery. 
There was also a gallery along the sides of the third section (from 
top) ; it measured 6 inches in length (PI. VII, D). The wound is 
shown in the photograph of this segment. Section CC was cut from 
the top of this particular section. 
No termites were found in section DD (fig.l). 
COMPOSITION OF SHELTER TUBES. 
A microchemical examination by the Bureau of Chemistry of the 
United States Department of Agriculture of fragments of the shelter 
tubes constructed by Coptotermes niger from galleries in the center 
wall of Miraflores Locks, Canal Zone, is reported as follows: 
Sample B, M. 38192. This sample was found to contain an appreciable 
amount of siliceous material, and also material giving the usual microchemical 
reaction for lignin, as well as showing evidence of definite cellular structure, 
thus differing from sample A, where similar material was more finely com- 
minuted. 
NASUTITERMES CORNIGERA Motschulsky. 
The bad-smelling Na^vtJtermes cornigera is one of the most com- 
mon and destructive termites in Panama, and its semispherical, 
" niggerhead," carton nests on the trunks or in the crotches of trees 
are often found. 
On July 26, 1921, Zetek and Molino found this termite very 
abundant on trees along the Tumba Muerta road, near Panama City, 
from Las Sabanas road to Corundu River, a distance of about K- 
miles, it being the prevalent species. Citrus trees especially were 
badly infested. At Octavio Icaza's place nearly all the citrus trees 
had nests of this termite in the crotches. At Herbruger's place ( La 
Loceria) all the citrus trees were infested with this species, which 
was very abundant and in two cases had apparently caused the 
death of the trees. 
Earthlike galleries one-half to 1 inch wide and one-fourth to 
three-fourths inch thick were abundant on the tree trunks along the 
road referred to and nests in the trees were not rare. No queens 
were found, the nests containing mostly soldiers. In one case at 
La LoCeria (near Panama City) on a citrus tree soldiers were seen 
crawling about and also exposed on the ground with no gallery or 
anything to protect them. A distance of about 4 feet was traversed 
in this manner. 
Some of the nests on trees were as largo as 2 feet by 3 feet. 
Description of Tlati: TX. 
Carton \t:xts and sheeted tubes of Nasutitirmea oornigera .v\n ix.tiky to electri- 
cal apparatus r,v v. ephratae; L, Large sesnispherica] carton nest of .v. corniffera 
at Miraflores Locks, C. & l{ - Structure of termitarium Inside of bronse service bos 
in Lamp Post No. 600, Miraflores Locks, .«'. v.. November 29, 1921. C, fermitarjum 
of v ephrutae in hollow center of Lamp Post No. 600, Miraflores Locks, enveloping the 
wires, light socket, and two telephone sockets in bronze service box. There were, 
back of tiiis nest, a tew pieces of pine boards Infested with this termite. November •_".». 
L921. /'. a lead-covered 600-roJl copper wire with termitarium aboui it. This termite 
does not eat Into the lend. bu1 does destroy all cloth and rubber Insulation. Where 
the copper is laid bare the termites have formed a sheath over it. November 29; 1921. 
/ Damage done bo braid and rubber Insulation of RO0-vol1 wires leading to overhead 
lights al Lamp Post No. 600, Miraflores. «'. v.. /'. shelter rube <>t" v. corntfjera on. branch 
of avocado tree Bhowing work of a girdling beetle, Trachydares aubpilosus. 
