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C. H. TURNER. 



There is a wide-spread belief that the male ant always dies 

 within a few hours after copulation. The following two experi- 

 ments show that, in this -species, the male may live for several 

 days after mating. 



June 8, 1908. - - Five males, captured just after copulation, are 

 confined to a Janet nest. June 10. --All are alive. June 1 1. 

 Two are dead and three living. June 12.- -Three are dead and 

 two living. June 16. Four are dead and one is dying. 



FIG. 8. Mound of P. badius, surface view, a, entrances ; b, debris, mostly plant 

 matter, from the nest. The surface is covered with pebbles and bits of coal. Near 

 the edge a few grass stalks are growing, and, scattered over the surface, a few stalks 

 of dead grass are standing. Greatest length, 60 in.; greatest width, 42 in. 



June 16, 1908. - - Fifteen males, captured just after copulation, 

 are confined in a Janet nest. June 17. - -All are alive. June 

 1 8. All are alive. June 19. - -One is dead, one is dying, and 

 thirteen are alive. This series was interrupted by a forced ab- 

 sence from the laboratory. 



In each of the above cases no male died until at least two 

 days had elapsed after copulation, and, in each case, some of the 

 males lived for several days. 



Females captured immediately after copulation and confined in 

 a Janet nest, often did not shed their wings until at least two 

 days had elapsed. This is not in harmony with the belief that 

 all female ants shed their wings on the evening of the day on 

 which copulation occurs. 



