{366}The period of development apparently occupies from eighteen to twenty-three months. At intervals swarms of a great number of winged individuals leave the nest, and are usually promptly eaten up by various animals. After swarming, the wings are thrown off, and sometimes two specimens or three may be seen running off together; this has been supposed to be preliminary to pairing, but Grassi says this is not the case, but that the object is to obtain their favourite food, as we shall mention subsequently. Although these are the usual habits of _Termes lucifugus_ at present in Sicily, it must not be concluded that they are invariable; we have in fact evidence to the contrary. Grassi has himself been able to procure in confinement a colony—or rather the commencement of one—accompanied by a true royal pair; while Perris has recorded[291] that in the Landes he frequently found a royal pair of _T. lucifugus_ under chips; they were accompanied in nearly every case by a few eggs. And Professor Perez has recently placed a winged pair of this species in a box with some wood, with the result that after some months a young colony has been founded. It appears probable therefore that this species at times establishes new colonies by means of royal pairs derived from winged individuals, but after their establishment maintains such colonies as long as possible by means of complementary queens. It is far from improbable that distinctions as to the use of true and complementary royalties may be to some extent due to climatic conditions. In some localities _T. lucifugus_ has multiplied to such an extent as to be very injurious, while in others where it is found it has never been known to do so. The Termitidae of Africa are the most remarkable that have yet been discovered, and it is probably on that continent that the results of the Termitid economy have reached their climax. Our knowledge of the Termites of tropical Africa is chiefly due to Smeathman, who has described the habits of several species, among them _T. bellicosus_. It is more than a century since Smeathman travelled in Africa and read an account of the Termites to the Royal Society.[292] His information was the first of any importance about Termitidae that was given to the world; it is, as may be well understood, deficient in many details, but is nevertheless of great value. Though his statements have been doubted they are truthful, and have been confirmed by Savage.[293] {367}[Illustration: FIG. 232.—Royal cell of _Termes bellicosus_, partially broken open to show the queen and her attendants. (After Smeathman.) B, Antenna of the queen; _b_, _b_, line of entrances to the cell; A, A, an entrance, in this line, closed by the Termites. × ⅞.]