re conveyed by the indefatigable labourers to the
nurseries, which are thus all filled. When hatched, they are provided
with food by the labourers. There is another class, the soldiers.
These are distinguished by the size of their heads, and their long and
sharp jaws, with which they bravely attack any intruders. When any
unwary creature appears to attack their abode, first one comes out to
see what is the matter. He summons others, and directly afterwards vast
numbers issue forth, doing battle with the greatest courage. When any
of them are knocked over, instantly recovering themselves, they return
to the assault with a bravery and courage surpassed by no other creature
in creation. The labourers meantime are exerting themselves to the
utmost to repair the damages which have been effected in their fortress.
Those who have watched their proceedings state that in a single night
they will repair a gallery, which has been injured, of three or four
yards in length. We were thankful that in our attack on the termites'
fortress we had escaped with only a few bites; but probably had we
remained longer in their neighbourhood we should have received far more
severe injuries.

Travelling on for several days, we emerged into some open ground, where
we prepared to encamp. We selected a spot somewhat above the plain, and
our bearers at once set to work to cut down poles. These they planted
in circles, and interwove them with branches of palm-trees, forming
walls which afforded sufficient shelter from the night wind; then
bringing the tops close together, they thatched them over with leaves of
the same tree. We of course all assisted, and in a short time a number
of small circular huts were formed sufficient to accommodate the whole
of the party. A quantity of wood was collected, to keep up blazing
fires to preserve us from the attacks of wild beasts. We were at a
sufficient distance, however, from the skirts of the forest, not to be
taken totally unawares. Still, it was considered necessary to place
guards round the camp, two of our party and two of the blacks remaining
on the watch all night. Before darkness closed in, we saw numbers of
monkeys in the trees, watching us with curious looks, leaping from bough
to bough, and chattering and grinning, wondering apparently who the
strangers could be who had thus ventured into their domain. The two
girls had a hut to themselves. We had formed a second wall of sticks
round