the Termites of Africa and other hot Climates . i gt 
quitted the line of march, and placed themfelyes at different 
diftances on each fide of the two columns ; for they appeared 
much more numerous before I quitted the fpot. Not expect- 
ing to fee any change in their march, and being pinched for 
time, the tide being nearly up, and our departure fixed at 
high water, I quitted the fcene with fome regret, as the obfer- 
vation of a day or two might have afforded me the opportunity 
of exploring the reafon and neceflity of their marching with 
fuch expedition, as well as of difcovering their chief fettlement, 
which is probably built in the fame manner as the large hills 
before defcribed. If fo, it may be larger and more curious, as 
thefe infects were at lead: one-third larger than the other fpecies, 
and confequently their buildings muft be more wonderful if 
poflible : thus much is certain, there muft be fome fixed place 
for their king and queen, and the young ones.' Of thefe fpe- 
cies I have not feen the perfect infe<ft. 
The oeconomy of nature is wonderfully difplayed in a com- 
parative obfervation on the different fpecies who are calculated 
to live under ground until they have wings, and this fpecies 
which marches in great bodies in open day. The former, in 
the two firft ftates, that is, of labourers and foldiers, have no 
eyes that I could ever difcover ; but when they arrive at the 
winged or perfect ftate in which they are to appear abroad, 
though only for a few hours, and that chiefly in the night, 
they are furnifhed with two confpicuous and fine eyes : 
fo the Termes viarum , or marching Bugga Bugs, being in- 
tended to walk in the open air and light, are even in the firft 
ftate furnifhed with eyes proportionably as fine as thofe 
which are given to the winged or perfect infedls of the 
other fpecies. 
I -am 
