WHITE ANTS. 
505 
come down with such unexpected violence, that, 
besides shaking my teeth and bones almost to dis- 
location, I have been precipitated, head foremost, 
among the neighbouring trees and bushes. Some- 
times, though seldom, the animals are known to at- 
tack living trees ; but not, I apprehend, before 
symptoms of mortification have appeared at the 
roots ; since it is evident, as is before observed, that 
these insects are intended in the order of nature to 
hasten the dissolution of such trees and vegetables 
as have arrived at the greatest maturity and per- 
fection, and which would, by a tedious decay, serve 
only to encumber the face of the earth. This 
purpose they answer so effectually, that nothing 
perishable escapes them, and it is almost impossible 
to leave any thing penetrable upon the ground a 
long time in safety ; for the odds are, that, put it 
where you will abroad, they will find it out before 
the following morning, and its destruction follows 
very soon of course. In consequence of this dis- 
position, the woods never remain long encumbered 
with the fallen trunks of trees or their branches ; 
and thus it is, as I have before observed, the total 
destruction of deserted towns is so effectually com- 
pleted, that in two or three years a thick wood fills 
the space ; and, unless iron-wood posts have been 
made use of, not the least vestige of a house is to be 
discovered. 
“ The first object of admiration which strikes 
one upon opening their hills is the behaviour of 
the soldiers. If you make a breach in a slight part 
