1 42 JVih SMEATHMAN*S Account of 
Tropics fo deemed, from the vaft damages they cauie, and the 
Ioffes which are experienced in confequence of their eating and 
perforating wooden buildings, utenfils, and furniture, with all 
kinds of houfehold- fluff and merchandize, which are totally 
deflroyed by them, if not timely prevented ; for nothing lefs 
hard than metal or flone can efcape their moft deftrudive jaws. 
They have been taken notice of by various travellers in dif- 
ferent parts of the torrid zone ; and indeed where numerous, a9 
is the cafe in all equinddial countries and iilands that are not 
fully cultivated, if a perfon has not been incited by curiofity to 
obferve them, he mufl have been very fortunate who, after a 
fhort refidence, has not been compelled to it for the fafety of 
his property. 
Thefe infeds have generally obtained the name of Ants, it 
may be prefumed, from the fimilarity in their manner of liv- 
ing, which is, in large communities that ered very extraordi- 
nary nefls, for the moft part on the furfaee of the ground, from 
whence their excurfions are made through fubterraneous paffages 
or covered galleries, which they build whenever neceffity j 
obliges, or plunder induces, them to march above ground, ; and 
at a great diftance from their habitations carry on a buhnefs of 
depredation and deilrudion,. fcarce credible but to thofe who 
have feen it. But notwithftanding they live ill communities, 
and are like the ants omnivorous ; though like them at a certain 
period they are furnifhed with four wings, and emigrate or co- ■ 
Ionize at the fame feafou ; they are by no means the fame kind 
of infeds, nor does their form correfpond with that of Ants in 
anyone Hate of their exiftence, which, like moft other infeds, < 
is changed feveral times. T ; . - ; 
The Termites referable the Ants alfo in their provident and 
diligent labour, but furpafs them as well as the Bees, Wafps, 
3 Beavers, 
