Page 149 - For Men of Understanding

Briefly, the information pertaining to the collective organisation and works
of individual organisms is revealed only at the communal level. It does not exist
individually. In other words, animals that make collective "constructions" such
as the bee and the termite are not aware of what they do as individuals.
Beyond them all, another wisdom controls them all and creates the perfect out-
come, by bringing the work of all together.
We have examined in earlier pages that in the Qur’an, Allah states that pro-
duction of honey is "inspired" in the bees. This is also true for the work of the
termites and other animals.
Definitely, these excellent processes were "taught" to animals and they are
programmed to perform this work. Men can manage to make the incredible
buildings they construct only after taking years long architectural educations
and by using many technical tools. It is evident that these animals that do not
possess wisdom and consciousness like men do, were created specifically to
do this job and thus to be a means of showing the infinite knowledge and
might of their Creator.
The one who is worthy of praise and admiration for the great architectural
wonders they construct is surely not these little creatures, but Allah Who cre-
ated them with this talent.

AGRICULTURE IN THE TOWER

Some termites cultivate mushrooms in the
gardens they make in their towers. These
mushrooms, however, diffuse heat, by the
nature of their life activities, which disturb
the temperature balance kept by termites.
The termites have to balance this extreme
temperature rise. Termites use interesting
methods to get rid of the heat they
themselves release and from the
metabolism of the mushrooms they grow
in their garden. The generated heat rises
up the main tower (chimney) of the nest.
The air circulates and passes to auxiliary
chimneys by going through small channels
near the walls. Here, oxygen is taken in
and the carbon dioxide that is released by
the termites and the fungi is given out.
Thus, the termite nest works like a huge
lung for the whole colony. The air cools as
it moves along the capillary channel
system.
A view from the fungus Consequently, permanently cool and oxygen-rich air flows in at a
garden of the termites. speed of 12 cm per minute and thus the temperature inside stays
o
constantly at 30 C.

The Signs in Living Things 147