478 
WHITE ANTS. 
ingenuity and prudence : but when we come to 
consider the wonderful oeconomy of these insects, 
with the good order of their subterraneous cities, 
they will appear foremost on the list of the won- 
ders of the creation, as most closely imitating man- 
kind in provident industry and regular govern- 
ment. 
“ The termites are represented by Linnaeus as 
the greatest plagues of both Indies, and are indeed 
every way between the tropics so deemed, from the 
vast damages they cause, and the losses which are 
experienced in consequence of their eating and per- 
forating wooden buildings, utensils, and furniture, 
with all kinds of household -stuff and merchandise, 
which are totally destroyed by them, if not timely 
prevented; for nothing less hard than metal or stone 
can escape their most destructive jaws. 
“ These insects have generally obtained the name 
of ants, it may be presumed, from the similarity in 
their manner of living, which is, in large commu- 
nities that erect very extraordinary nests, for the 
most part on the surface of the ground, from whence 
their excursions are made through subterraneous pas- 
sages or covered galleries, which they build when- 
ever necessity obliges, or plunder induces them to 
march above ground ; and at a great distance from 
their habitations carry on a business of depredation 
and destruction, scarcely credible but to those who 
have seen it. But notwithstanding they live in 
communities, and are like the ants omnivorous ; 
though like them at a certain period they are fur- 
