Hymenopterom Insects. 267 



frequent among the wood ants ( J^ormica rufa) ; but I have not 

 been fortunate enough to observe it among the other species. 

 Whether, however, this carrying process be for the purpose 

 assigned by Huber, that of removing to a new habitation, I 

 much doubt. I have never been able to trace the carriers to 

 their destination : but, I think, it cannot be for the purpose 

 of removing to a new place of habitation ; for the old habi- 

 tations, to which my observations have been directed, still 

 remain in the same place from year to year, inhabited as usual. 

 I would ask, is not this operation confined to particular sea- 

 sons? Has any one observed it at all times during the sum- 

 mer ? We want more facts on the subject. That the ants 

 thus carried are " prisoners taken in a conflict with some 

 neighbouring enemy," as supposed by Mr. Hill (VI. 476.), is, 

 I think, improbable. I have always observed, if the carrier 

 be deprived of its prey, it will run about confusedly ; but, the 

 moment the prey is restored, the carrier immediately takes it 

 up again, and there is no resistance offered by the prisoner. 

 If they were captives taken in battle, I presume they would 

 resist a second capture, or be anxious to make their escape 

 when removed from the grasp of the enemy ; but I have never 

 seen any disposition of the kind manifested. I have often 

 been amused by the courage exhibited by these little beings, 

 when disturbed or annoyed. They erect their bodies, fixing 

 and balancing themselves by their hind and middle legs, in 

 most formidable attitude ; whilst their mandibles and first 

 pair of legs are used for defence. When provoked to this, 

 they eject a liquid from the mouth with great violence: in 

 one instance, I am sure, it was thrown to the distance of three 

 inches. The operation is repeated two or three times if the 

 provocation be continued, but with less force each time ; and 

 they then appear exhausted, and disinclined to continue the 

 contest, and decamp with all possible alacrity. — C. Corvwai/, 

 Sept. 21. 1833. 



A Battle between Ants of the Species Myrmica riibra^ and 

 Ants of the Species Myrmica cce'spitum, — On Sept. 4. 1832, 

 I was walking beside a wall a foot or so taller than myself; 

 off the upper part of which, in one place, I, in passing, ob- 

 served small insects to be descending, as it were, by a flying 

 leap. This led my eye to the pathway along which I was 

 walking at the foot of the walk, where, for the length of five 

 yards, and the width of three, the ground was sprinkled, and, 

 as it were, in part animated, with winged ants ; most of them 

 in pairs, but some single ones, which seemed to be earnestly 

 seeking partners. The pairs were severally composed of a 

 red ant and a dark-coloured one, which strenuously combated 



