y employ in the construction of their cells. The inhabitants of
these structures consist of differently formed insects, employed in
various distinct occupations. The most numerous are the labourers, who
have to toil for the benefit of the community. They are sexless and
blind; yet, without the power of sight, they are ceaselessly employed in
the construction of these curious mounds, or in taking care of the
young, and in collecting and bringing in food for the support of the
population. Then come the soldiers, who defend the fortress, or, as
more frequently happens, sacrifice themselves for the protection of the
rest. The two most important personages of the community are the king
and queen, who are the parents of future colonies. These are always
found in every perfect termitarium. There are also a large number of
winged termites, male and female, who, at a certain period of the year--
generally at the commencement of the rainy season--issue forth from the
hive into the world. Although a large number are destroyed, a few
escape, and, pairing, become the parents of fresh colonies. The
formation of a new citadel or colony takes place somewhat in the
following manner:--On a mound becoming overstocked, a party of workers,
guarded by a body of soldiers, issue forth, and commence a fresh edifice
at a distance from the old one. Here they form a large cell in the
centre, surrounded by numerous galleries leading to smaller cells. From
thence they run their covered ways, in suitable directions, towards
spots whence they can obtain their necessary supplies of food and
building materials. This being accomplished, they go in search of a
royal pair; whom, when they have found, under a leaf or clod of earth,
they conduct into the interior cell, where they are installed in due
state. The newly-married couple, who have by this time got rid of their
wings, are considerably larger than the rest of the population, but are
helpless individuals, having neither the power of working nor fighting.
The king soon dies; but his consort, instead of pining for his loss,
sets herself to work for the benefit of posterity, by laying a countless
number of eggs. As soon as these are deposited the workers carry them
off, and place them in the cells, where they watch over them with the
most vigilant care, supplying the larvae with food as soon as they are
hatched; and when the nursery becomes full, carrying some off in their
mouths to another