It is extremely amazing, as well as curious, to observe the progress of one of these cities The first appearance above ground, is one or two small turrets, shaped like sugarloaves, about a foot high. As the work advances, the number of these turrets is increased, till the base of their hill is entirely covered with theixi. The highest and largest is in the centre and, by filling up the intercais between them they farm, as it were, one. dome. When this cupola is completed, they take away the middle turrets, except the tops, which serve as props to the building, and apply the clay to other pu rsus. The use of the outward shell is not only to protect the interior t'om icnc and heavy rains, but to collect a degree of genial warmth, which promotes hatch in the eggs and cherishing the young.
Thus they frequently enlarge their apart ments, and change their situation ; pulling do wix and rebuilding, as their wants require, with an apparent design and foresight, superior to the general instincts of other insects. The interior building has a flatfish top, without any opening; which would preserve the inner chambers from wet, in case of the outer ones being penetrated by rain. The nurseries are enclosed in chambers of clay, and, at the commencement of the building, do not exceed
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