1 62 Mr. smeati-iman's Account of 
This fpeeies has the external habit, fixe, and almofl the colour^ 
©f the Ter me s atrox (tab. X. fig. 21.). 
There ate fome nefls built in thofe fandy plains which we 
call, after the Spaniards, Savannas,., that referable the hill 
nefls firft defcribed. They are compofed of a black mud, which, 
is brought from a few inches below the white land, and are 
built in the form of an imperfect cone, or bell-fhaped, having; 
their tops rounded. Thefe nefls- are generally: about four or 
five feet high OA. As I faw thefe only in palling through' 
various Savannahs upon other purfuits, L ean fay very little of 
their interior parts. They feemed to be inhabited by nearly as- 
large infefls, differing very little except: in colour, which is 
lighter than that of the Termites belitcoji k 
Having given fome idea of the nefls, I flialLbeg-your patient 
reading of a more particular account of the infefls themfelves ? : 
which will be exceeding neceffary to a tolerable acquaintance 
with their oeconomy and management,., their manner of build- 
ing, fighting, and marching, and to a more particular account, : 
of their ufes in the creation,, and of the vaft mifehief they, 
caufe to mankind. 
(17) u The nefts of Ahtsare about four feet v/lcle at the bafe v .and two high, . 
of van hemifpherical form. Though made in loofe fand, .they , are fo hard as 
not to be. broken without 'great efforts, and a laden -cart could not break: 
** through.; — In October and .November they add. a new- ftory. •= — The Cochons 
“ de Terre, (the Left .Ant-eater of Mr.-. .pennant) make holes in thefe nefts eight 
14 inches in .diameter and fix deep y and having dejiroyed the inhabit ants,. .the nejt 
u is .abandoned, but. fometimes the Ants repair it.” This laft paragraph feems- 
rather; founded : on conjecture.. Voyage.au Gap, par:M. L’Abbe de la caille, , 
R* 3°5 — 35 6 - 
Oviedo alfo lays Ants make. hillocks. as-high as a. man* 
\ 
