140 Mr. smeathman’s Account of 
You had barely tune to fee and to admire fome of their 
buildings in New Holland, and have been pleafed to fay, you 
think an accurate account of them would meet a favourable 
reception from the Royal Society. That which I now have the 
honour to prefent 'to you, is accurate and faithful as far as it 
goes. I have kept as clofe to my fubjedt as was in my power, 
without being obfcure, or falling fhort of my intention ; and 
though 1 have given only the heads of what I could draw from 
my memorandums on the fubjedt, they will probably be found 
fufficiently defcriptive and hiftorical for the bounds of a letter. 
The fagacity of thefe little infedtS is fo infinitely beyond 
that of any other animals I have ever heard of, that it is- poffi- 
ble the accounts I have here communicated would not appear 
credible to many, without fuch vouchers and fuch corroborating 
teftimony as I am fortunately able to produce, and are now 
before you. There are alfo many living witneffes in England 
to moft of the extraordinary relations that I have given, fo that 
I hope to have full credit for fuch remarks as no one but myfelf 
has probably had time and opportunities enough to make, and 
which are not fufceptible of demonflration, except in thofe 
places where the infedts are found. 
Such as they are, I beg leave to lay them, with all diffidence 
and humility, before you and that illuftrious Body of which 
you are Prefident ; and if they fhould in a fmall degree meet 
with approbation, I ffiall be exceedingly fatisfied. 
Thefe infedts are known by various names. They belong to 
the termes of linnjeus, and other fyftematical naturalifts. 
.In the windward parts of Africa they are 
called Bugga Bugs . 
In the Weft Indies* JVood Lice , Wood Ants 7 
5 or White Ants, 
By the Englifh. 
