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Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXVI, No. 7 
(PI. 4) of varying size, the larger ones often 2 y 2 feet in diameter and 2 
feet in height. They are usually built around and over low shrubbery, 
logs, or stumps, or in some instances around the bases of fence posts. 
On the flat, treeless pasture lands of the Sabanas region a few miles from 
Panama City, these nests are a common sight and remind one of the first 
account of mound-building termites, written by Smeathman (20), .in 
which he pictures a wild bull surveying the surrounding country from the 
top of the nest of an African termite. 
These nests are built from particles of earth which, having passed 
through the alimentary tract of the workers, are cemented together. The 
enveloping walls are constructed of surface soil, not of soil mined from 
below. Because of their shape and texture these nests are almost im¬ 
pervious to water; some that were examined after a heavy shower 
showed that only the outer wall had been penetrated by the rain. 
Because of their shape and internal structure (PI. 4, B; PI. 5) these nests 
are so solid that one can jump up and down on them without making the 
least impression, and when one attempts to open them with a machete it 
glances off as it would if one were trying to chop a stone in half. 
Froggatt (13) records that the earthlike material from the nests of 
certain mound-building species in Ceylon is so fine that it is used by the 
native jewellers to polish gems. Several writers state that the material 
from similar nests is employed by the natives in parts of Africa for the floors 
of their huts and “ J. M. C.” (2) says that in Australia these termite mounds 
are used in making tennis courts, There is little question that the earth- 
material nests of Amitermes medius would make as good courts as cement. 
In no instance, however, have the natives of Panama been found using 
these mound nests. 
From all records available this species seems to be confined to the 
Pacific side of the Canal Zone and to the Republic of Panama. In all 
the nests that have been opened no queens have been found; they are 
probably in the deeper underground parts. Considering the size of the 
nests, the number of inhabitants seems much smaller than in the case of 
species of the genus Nasutitermes. 
On the afternoon of May 4, 1921, Messrs. Zetek and Molino broke open 
a nest in the vicinity of Las Sabanas (near Panama City). This mound 
nest was about 2 feet high and quite hard, a geological pick being required 
to open it. The galleries were filled to overcrowding with winged forms. 
The winged adults were always congregated in the galleries and cells lined 
with white (PI. 5, B). This white lining is found in nests of Leucotermes 
tenuis , according to Silvestri (19, p. 112). In the upper and middle parts 
of this nest the lighter colored form with narrow wings ( convexinotatus) 
predominated. In the whole nest this was the prevailing form. At the 
base of the nest were obtained smaller numbers of the adult with darker 
and wider wings {Amitermes medius). The soldiers tightly grasped the 
forceps extended to them. 
Soldiers of Leucotermes convexinotatus were also present in the galleries 
of this mound nest. Soldiers of Amitermes medius and L. convexinotatus 
were found with mandibles locked about each other. 
SWARMING 
May 4, 1921, at Las Sabanas, was cloudy, and a light rain fell all the 
time during which the nest was being examined. The winged adults 
began to emerge at 3 p. m. As the nest was broken up winged adults 
flew out in clouds. 
