Meer Hassan Ali, B.: Observations on the Mussulmauns of India: descriptive of their manners, customs, habits, and religious opinions ; made during a twelve years residence in their immediate Society (Band 2) (London, 1832)

WHITE ANTS. 97

patience of the public in no very measured de-
gree ; their malignant sting is painful, and their
attacks incessant; against which there is no
remedy but patience, and a good gauze curtain
to the beds. Without some such barrier,
foreigners could hardly exist; certainly they
never could enjoy a night's repose. Even the
mere buzzing of musquitoes is a source of much
annoyance to Europeans : I have heard many
declare the bite was not half so distressing as
the sound. The Natives, both male and fe-
male, habitually wrap themselves up so entirely
in their chuddah (sheet) that they escape from
these voracious insects, whose sounds are so
familiar to them that it may be presumed they
lull to, rather than disturb their sleep.

The white ant is a cruel destroyer of goods:
where it has once made its domicile, a real
misfortune may be considered to have visited
the house. They are the most destructive little
insects in the world, doing as much injury in
one hour, as a man might labour through a
long life to redeem. These ants, it would seem,
have no small share of animosity to ladies' finery,

VOL. II. H