found in Southern India. 55 



minal pedicle longer and less raised than in the last ; entirely of 

 a rufous colour. 



This is a very closely allied species and is found in the same 

 localities as the last. Had I found it in a different tract of 

 country, I should have perhaps considered it as a climatal variety, 

 but its large size and the few points enumerated above lead me 

 to view it as distinct. Its habits are similar. 



20. Myrmica Kirbii ? (Sykes*), Jerdon (p. 114). 



Is very closely allied to the two last; has its thorax larger, 

 rough, and much ridged ; its thoracic spines larger ; first abdo- 

 minal pedicle somewhat diamond-shaped, second heart-shaped ; 

 the abdomen strongly ridged longitudinally ; head, thorax and 

 legs dark maroon ; abdomen dark brown. Length /^ths of an 

 inch. 



I have found this species chiefly in the elevated forests of the 

 Wynaad ; I cannot say that I have met it below the Ghauts. 

 It forms a considerable nest of some papyraceous materials, 

 usually of an oval form, and placed round a small branch which 

 supports it. It is very numerous in individuals, countless 

 swarms issuing from it on being disturbed, and boldly attacking 

 the assailant both with teeth and sting. It feeds on honey of 

 flowers and other vegetable secretions. 



21. Myrmica fodiem, Jerdon (p. 115). 



Worker, length ^^ths of an inch ; head rounded, triangular 

 striated ; eyes large, posterior ; jaws somewhat linear, four- 

 toothed ; thorax raised in front, depressed posteriorly, with two 

 small spines on each side in front, and two tubercles above 

 these, and two large nearly horizontal spines at the posterior ex- 

 tremity of thorax ; first abdominal pedicle long, narrow, raised 

 behind, second raised, rounded j abdomen somewhat triangular ; 

 head, thorax, legs and abdominal pedicles maroon colour ; ab- 

 domen shining brown. 



Female, head rather smaller proportionally, finely striated; 

 eyes larger ; three ocelli ; jaws blunt, without teeth ; antennae 

 scarcely longer than the head ; thoracic spines less developed ; 

 abdomen larger. 



This is one of the most common and abundant ants in Mala- 

 bar ; I do not remember to have seen it in the Carnatic. It sel- 

 dom enters houses, but otherwise appears to take the place of 

 Formica indefessa, which is not found in Malabar. It feeds 

 chiefly on honey and other vegetable secretions, but also will 



* Trans. Ent. Soc. i. p. 99. Col. Sykes^s specimens of M. Kirbii are in 

 the MuseuQji at the East India House. — F. M. 



