1 76 • Mr. 'sheathman’s Account oj 
foiicifous about the preferving their covered ways in good re- 
pair ; and if you demolifh one of them, for a few inches in 
length, it is wonderful how foon they te build it. At fifed in 
their hurry they get into the open part an inch or two,’ but flop 
fo fuddenly that it is very apparent they are furprized : for 
though fom-e run frraight on, and get under the arch as fpeedily 
as poffible in the further part, mod; of them run as fail back, 
and very few will venture through that part of the track 
which is left uncovered. In a few minutes you will perceive 
them rebuilding the arch, and by the next morning they will 
have reftored their gallery for three or four yards in length, if 
lo much has been ruined ; and upon opening it again will be 
found as numerous as ever, under it, palling both ways. If 
you continue to deftroy it feveral times, they will at length feem 
to give up the point, and build another in a different direction ; 
but, if the old one led to fome favourite plunder, in a few days 
will rebuild it again ; and, unlefs you deflroy their nefl, never 
totally abandon their gallery. 
The Termites arborum , thofe which build in trees, frequently 
eftablifh their neffs within the roofs and other parts of houfes, 
to which they do confiderable damage, if not timely extir- 
pated. 
The large fpecies are, however, not only much more de- 
■ftrudlive, but more difficult to be guarded againfl, fince they 
make their approaches chiefly underground, defcending below 
the foundations of houfes and ftores at feveral feet from the fur- 
face, and riling again either in the floors, or entering at the 
and are to be feen all the year round travelling from the plants along their road to 
the neft, with each one of thefe circular pieces of leaves in their jaws, which, 
from their fhape and colour, give a very good idea of people walking with para» 
lofs (umbrellas). merian, Infetrtes de Surinam p. 18, 
bottoms 
