696 Marvels of the Universe 
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prepared wood-pulp (or 
and replaced by a fresh supply. 
Some Termites also feed upon the secretion of their own salivary glands, or that of their 
fellows. A tiny globule of liquid appears in the mouth. When it has increased to about one 
millimetre in diameter, it is either swallowed, used for building purposes, or, if the Termite is 
neither hungry nor in the mood for work, passed on 
We hese as a dainty to another individual. 
In conclusion, reference must be made to the 
destructiveness of Termites. Wherever they pass 
they leave a trail of devastation. Furniture, clothing, 
“mushroom-cake,”’ as it is called) becomes exhausted, it is removed 
books, flour and grain are quickly devoured, while 
woodwork is rapidly reduced to a heap of powder and 
chips. Only iron and the hardest stone appear to daunt 
them. It is even said that they are able to injure 
glass by means of their corrosive saliva. Years ago 
a species of Termite was accidentally introduced into 
the island of St. Helena. It increased and multiplied 
to such an extent that Jamestown was soon reduced 
literally to ruins, and new buildings had to be erected. 
Physically, the Termites are a feeble folk, much 
relished by birds and beasts, and can take no undue 
risks. They, therefore, approach the object of their 
desire through tunnels and covered ways; so that in 
tropical countries it is not an uncommon occurrence to 
find doors and window frames crumbling away with- 
out any visible signs of decay. When Termites obtain 
access to a building, they eat away all the interior 
of the woodwork, always leaving a thin outer shell 
intact, and never once exposing their persons to the 
vulgar gaze. In countries where they abound it is a 
rare thing to see a Termite, although the evidences of 
their existence are everywhere ail too apparent. 
ROCK-BORERS 
BRYS Se BRESRENTAGRSD Be Cae Ele latte ky 
Photoby) "CW. Saville Kent. THE purpose of a shell is obvious. It is primarily 
A MERIDIAN TERMITES’ NEST. intended to serve as a protection to its soft-bodied 
So named from the position always occupied by OWner, Who would otherwise be left “naked to his 
this kind of nest, which has its narrow sides, one of o- _ D9 E = s a . 
SAN cesneoin IMac eesnG Chaaib Aodaatl canis,  COCMMIES, Perhaps molluses with clasp shells (known 
East and west the sides are abnormally long, and it as Bivalves) are the most unprovided against attack, 
is possible that the nest is so constructed as to get 
as little as possible of the, sun’s heat. These nests 
are found chiefly in Australasia. against well-directed force, as we have seen in the 
for however hard their shells may be they are not proof 
case of the oyster and the starfish (page 605). The Rock-borers, however, are amongst the wisest 
of their kind, for they have found a means of securing themselves against all intruders. They seek 
out a rock not too hard in texture, and with their heavy foot, which they use after the 
fashion of a centre-bit, they scoop out long, narrow, vertical pits which will in time be deep 
enough to entirely cover them. As a provision against being buried alive, they are supplied 
with particularly long siphons which extend beyond the orifices in the rocks. Almost every 
