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CHAPTER XV ILL 
BUILDING INSECTS . 
The Termite, or White Ant — General habits of the insect — African Termites 
and their homes — Termites as articles of food — American Termites — Mr. 
Bates' account of their habits — European Termites — Their ravages in France 
and Spain — M. de Quatrefages and his history of the Termites of Rochefort 
and La Rochelle— The Trypoxylon of South America — The Pelopceus 
and its curious nest — Mr. Stone’s Wasp nests and their history — Difference 
of material — The Foraging Ants of South America and their various 
species — Nests and habits of the Foraging Ants — The Agricultural Ant 
of Texas — Dr. Lincecum’s accounts of its habits. 
We now pass to the many insects which may be classed among 
the Builders. The reader will probably notice that several of 
the true builders are omitted in this department, but will find 
them under the head of Social Insects. 
Of the Building insects the Termite, or White Ant, as it 
is popularly and wrongly called, is the acknowledged head and 
chief. There are certain other insects that erect habitations 
which are truly wonderful, but there is not one that approaches 
the Termite in the size of its building or the stone-like solidity 
of the structure. 
The history of the Termites is so complicated, and so full of 
incident, that I might occupy several hundred pages of this 
work in describing them and their nests, and yet not have 
exhausted the subject. I shall, therefore, give a general sketch 
of the Termites and their habits, and then relate a few details 
concerning the species which are found in Africa, Asia, America, 
and Europe. 
In the first place, the reader must understand that the Termite 
is not an ant at all, but belongs to a totally different order of 
