found in Southern India. 105 



destroy all the wasps, but become so infuriated, that their own 

 indiscriminate attacks are nearly as bad as those of their foes. 

 In gardens they are most partial to mango-trees, and also to 

 the large leaves of the Jamei Malae (Eugenia Malaccensis) , but 

 in the jungles they select a vast number of trees, or rather make 

 no selection at all. 



35. Formica longipes, Jerdon (p. 122). 



Worker, length J^th of an inch ; in form exceedingly similar 

 to the last; head more oblong than triangular; eyes more 

 posterior; antennae very long; abdominal pedicle shorter pro- 

 portionally ; abdomen a longer oval ; legs very long, of a pale 

 rufous colour throughout, tinged with dusky on the abdomen. 



This ant is found in all the forests of India, living in holes 

 in the ground, in tolerably numerous societies, and feeding on 

 vegetable secretions. I have not seen it at any distance from the 

 jungles. At Tellicherry, for example, I have never seen it, but 

 as soon as you go a little inland and get into the jungle you 

 meet with it. It is often found about bungalows and out-houses. 



36. Formica timida, Jerdon (p. 122). 



Worker, length 2^^ths of an inch long ; head oblong, oval ; 

 eyes large, posterior ; jaws triangular, strongly toothed ; thorax 

 smooth ; abdominal pedicle raised, conical ; colour dingy rufous, 

 darkest on the head, and tinged with dusky on the abdomen. 

 All the body covered with long scattered hairs. 



Warrior, ^ an inch long ; differs from the ordinary worker 

 in the head being much larger proportionally, and notched 

 posteriorly ; thorax thicker, and the abdomen shorter. 



Female, like worker, but somewhat larger, with wings, and 

 three ocelli. Male, /^ths of an inch long; thorax much elevated ; 

 eyes large ; head small ; three ocelli ; wings reach beyond the 

 abdomen. 



I have only found this ant on the Malabar coast, where it is 

 very common, living chiefly on vegetable secretions. It has its 

 nest under ground. It is very different in habit from the 

 other large red ant (F. smaragdina), being most timid, and if 

 approached or touched, dropping to the ground at once and 

 hiding itself. It does not always confine itself to vegetable 

 matter. On one occasion I had a box of pigeons containing 

 some squabs placed in a room on the floor. I next morning found 

 several of the squabs dead, covered with these ants, chiefly how- 

 ever the warriors. '' 



37. Formica striciaj Jerdon (p. 123). .. 'h.^M 

 Worker, length /^ths of an inch ; head nearly square, slightly 



