cV«r 



found in Southern India. lOl 



tapering to the tip, and finely serrated, ^th of an inch long ; 

 thorax barely grooved ; abdominal pedicle small, low, ovate ; 

 abdomen very long; sting large; head and abdomen blackish 

 brown, thorax and legs rufous. Length | of an inch. 



I have not seen this remarkable ant in the Carnatic. I first 

 saw it at Tellicherry, and subsequently in other parts of Mala- 

 bar. It is also found in the Mysore country, as I learn from 

 Mr. Hamilton, a most talented and industrious amateur entomo- 

 logist. 



I have given it the name of saltator from its power of making 

 most surprising jumps, which it does when alarmed or disturbed. 

 It is very pugnacious, and bites and stings severely. It makes 

 its nest underground, generally about the roots of some plant. 

 Its society does not consist of many individuals. It appears to 

 feed on insects, which it often seizes alive. .. . -o^i 



-IK i . • ladiBi 



Genus Ponera. Lat. * 



Its generic character has been given above. 'of 



26. Ponera sculpta, Jerdon (p. 117). 



Worker, length from y^yths of an inch to nearly ^ an inch ; 

 head oblong, pointed in front and rounded behind; jaws large, 

 triangular, armed with, alternately, a large and a small tooth ; 

 eyes very large, nearly medial; antennse inserted on a line 

 just "in front of the eyes, rather long; thorax nearly uniform 

 in width and height ; abdominal pedicle raised, pointing forwards 

 with two small spines ; abdomen long, cylindric ; legs long ; the 

 whole body curiously sculptured, being channeled and grooved 

 in different directions, longitudinally, circularly, obliquely, giving 

 a peculiar dull appearance ; colour blackish green. \ . 



This is one of the commonest species of Ant in Malabar;^^ 

 extending from the level of the sea up to the top of the Neil- ^ 

 gherries. It lives in the ground in small societies, often making 

 its nest in a flower-pot, occasionally under a large stone. It 

 does not work in concert, being generally seen solitary. It 

 lives on animal substances, but apparently will also take vege- 

 table matter. I have seen two fighting for a ripe seed of the 

 Lantana. 



I have not met with the female of this species. 



27. Ponera stenocheilos, Jerdon (p. 118). 



Worker, length fths of an inch ; head large, square behind, 

 pointed and advancing anteriorly, widest in front of the eyes 

 which are large ; antenna? long ; jaws very long, linear, ending 



