Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 09.djvu/358

TERMITES 306 TERNINA could not leave if she would. But to un- derstand this imprisonment we must no- tice that in spring the young winged males and females leave the nest in a swarm, after which pairing takes place; the survivors becoming the imprisoned "rulers" and parents of new colonies. But Fritz Muller has shown that be- sides the winged males and females there are (in at least many cases) wing- less males and females which never leave the termitary in which they are born, being kept as complementary or reserve reproductive members, useful should not a winged royal pair be forthcoming. Sometimes this casualty occurs, and then the wingless pairs become parents. The complementary kings die before winter; their mates live on, widowed, but still maternal, till at least another summer. The workers are diligent in tending the king and queen, in removing the laid eggs, and in feeding the larvae. In general appearance and size a wing- less termite is ant-like, but the winged forms are much larger and flatter, and their wings are quite different. The workers have large broad heads and strong jaws adapted for gnawing; the soldiers have still larger heads and lon- ger jaws. The most remarkable termitaries are those of Termes bellicosus, abundant on the W. coast of Africa. They are sugar- loaf -like in shape, 10 to 20 feet in height, and, though built of cemented particles of earth, are strong enough to bear a man's weight. Internally, as the figure shows, there are several stories and many chambers, some for the workers, one for the king and queen, others for the eggs and young, others for storing supplies of compacted minced wood. But the ter- mites do not all build such gigantic nests; for some build their homes on the branches of trees and apparently out of masticated woody material. In Africa T. bellicosus and T. arhorum are common species; in North America T. flavipes is very common. A few spices — T. lucifugus, T. flavicollis, and T. flavi- pes — all probably introduced — occur in Europe. Besides Termes there are other genera, such as Eutermes, Calotermes, and Anoplotermes. The termines seem to be of use in de- stroying decaying wood and in loosening the soil. They also afford food for ant eaters and other insectivorous mammals and for birds. But to dwellers in warm countries they are pests, destroying the timbers of houses and all sorts of wooden furniture. Effecting entrance from un- derground, they hollow out the interior, leaving only a deceptive shell, which at length collapses. Even in Europe T. lucifugus has proved very destructive in some parts of France, notably in the navy yard of Rochefort. Yet to the nat- uralist their social life, their reproduc- tive relations, and their architectural in- stincts are most interesting marvels de- manding further research. TERN, in ornithology the popular name of any species of the genus Sterna. They are slenderly built birds, with long, narrow, sharp-pointed wings, and forked tail, from which, as well as from their swift and circling manner of flight, they are often called sea swallows. The thick, soft, close plumage is colored light blue, black, and white, varying but little with sex, age, or season of the year. They are extensively distributed, inhabiting every zone, but prefer warm and temper- ate climates to the colder regions, which they only visit for a short period during the year. All are exceedingly active, and from sunrise to sunset on the wing. They walk badly and are not good swimmers, so that they are tossed about like corks. They feed on small fish and marine animals. TERNATE, one of the Molucca Islands, area^ about 25 square miles; con- tains a remarkable volcano (5,600 feet), and produces tobacco, cotton, sago, sulphur, saltpeter, etc. The town Temate is the seat of a native sultan and of the Dutch resident. TERNI, a cathedral town in central Italy; between the two arms of the Nera; 70 miles N. N. E. of Rome. About 2 miles off is the famous cataract of Velino, 500 feet high, celebrated by Byron in his "Childe Harold." Terni is the ancient Interamna Umbrica, perhaps the birthplace of Tacitus. Pop., about 33,000. TERNINA MILKA, a German dra- matic soprano; born in Vezisce, Croatia, in 1863. After studying under Dr. Josef Gansbacher, of Vienna, she acquired ex- perience in Leipsic, Graz, and Bremen. In 1890 she became prima donna in Mu- nich, where her success was great. Her talents were recognized throughout Ger- many, and she was a favorite in Russia and America. She first appeared in England at Covent Garden Opera House as Isolde in 1898, and further attracted attention by exceptionally fine impersona- tions of Briinnhilde and Fidelio, appear- ing in the former role with great suc- cess in New York City during the sea- son of 1896. Owing to poor health she made few public appearances after 1906.