the Termites of Africa and other hot Climates . 169 
other ; fometimes with one or two wings (till hanging to their 
bodies, which are not only ufelefs, but feem rather cumber- 
fome t* I * * * * 6 ). 
The greater part have no wings, but they run exceeding 
faft, the males after the females ; I have fometimes remarked two 
males after one female, contending with great eagernefs who 
fhould win the prize, regardlefs of the innumerable dangers 
that furrounded them. 
They are now become from one of the moft adtive, induf- 
trious, and rapacious, from one of the moft fierce and impla- 
cable little animals in the world, the moft innocent, helplefs, 
and cowardly ; never making the leaft refiftance to the fmalleft 
Ant. The Ants are to be feen on every fide in infinite numbers, 
of various fpecies and fizes, dragging thefe annual vidtims of 
the laws of nature to their different nefts. It is wonderful 
that a pair fhould ever efcape fo many dangers, and get 
into a place of fecurity. Some, however, are fo fortunate; 
and being found by fome of the labouring infedts that are 
continually running about the furface of the ground under 
their covered galleries, which I fhall fhortly defcribe, are 
tletied kings and queens of new ftates ; all thofe who 
are not fo elecled and preferved certainly perifh, and moft 
probably in the courfe of the following day. The man- 
ner in which thefe labourers protedt the happy pair from 
their innumerable enemies, not only on the day of the 
I have difcourfed with feveral gentlemen upon the tafte of the white Ants ; and 
on comparing notes we have always agreed, that they are mod delicious and deli- 
cate eating. One gentleman compared them to fugared marrow, another to 
fugared cream and a paile of fweet almonds. 
(* 6 ) ligon obferved them, but does not know what they are. LiGOtt’s Barba- 
does, p. 63. 
Vol. LXXI. 
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mafiacre 
