Scientists were for a long-time puzzled by way the in which tiny, week and blind creatures, e.g., the termites, were capable of building and operating extremely complex, city like structures such as termite nests.
After the raves and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the roof fell in, the floors gave way, termites took over and the city condemned the building.
We also obtained 56 Rattus norvegicus rat brain and lung tissue samples from the City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite, and Rodent Control Board.
Whether describing the "buttery glow" of late sun on "dun-colored sandstone" or the "red termite mounds leaning like the ruined towers of miniature cities," he's constantly demonstrating that the natural world is as splendiferous as any fable.
Because when you say country house to this city mouse, I say dry rot, dead tree removal and termite infestation.
The house, designed by Richard J. Neutra, was bought by the city in 1999, but has fallen victim to neglect, vandalism, water damage and termites.
For years before Hurricane Katrina caused the city to flood in 2005, Ms. Stewart writes, entomologists had warned officials that the termites, which were feeding on sugar cane waste in the seams, were weakening the levees.
Despite regular termite inspections, Janet and Scott Howard and their children one day discovered a terrible infestation in their 1920's Federal house in the city's historic Garden District, its renovated dining room inspired by the Pompeiian Room at the Met, she said.
In a city below sea level with a long history of flood and pestilence -- yellow fever epidemics killed thousands -- termite damage is both physical and psychological, playing into its citizens' predilection for dark humor and fatalism.
