LETTERS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 77 
care of themselves. They are distinguished from 
the soldiers by their small size and round heads. 
2d. The nymphs differ in nothing from the 
larvae, except that they have wings folded up in 
cases. 
3d. The neuters are much less numerous than 
the workers, and much larger in size, and are 
distinguished by their long and large heads. 
Their office is that -of sentinels and defenders of 
the nest when it is attacked. 
4th and 5th. Males and females, which are the 
nymphs arrived at perfection : there is only one 
of each in every separate society, and they are 
exempted from all participation in the labours 
and employments of the community. The first 
establishment of a colony of termites takes place 
in the following manner. 
In the evening, these animals having attained 
the perfect state, in which they are furnished 
with two pair of wings, emerge by myriads to 
seek their fortune. Borne on these ample wings, 
they fill the air, entering the houses, extinguish- 
ing the lights, and even sometimes being driven 
on board the ships that are near the shore. The 
next morning they are found covering the surface 
of the earth and waters, deprived of their wings, 
and looking like large maggots. In this help- 
