MANN: ANTS OF THE BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS. 287 



convex, flattened anteriorly, the border evenly rounded. Mandibles stout, 

 dentate similar to those of worker. Antennal scape extending two thirds the 

 distance to occipital corners. First flagellar joint one fifth the length of the 

 second, which is as long as the scape; joints 3-12 gradually shorter than the 

 preceding; terminal joint slightly longer than penultimate. Thorax robust; 



Fig. 5. — Rhytidoponera (Rhytidoponera) araneoides froggatli Forel. Worker. 



scutellum prominent, convex, a little broader than long. Declivity of epino- 

 tum longer than the base and flattened. Petiole more than twice as long as 

 high, convex above at middle, from above, longer than broad, sides slightly 

 convex. Genitalia not prominent. 



Shining, head and thorax irregularly, rugosely sculptured. Epinotum and 

 petiole transversely strigose. First segment of gaster very densely and finely 

 arcuately striate; striae of second segment similar, but more concentric. 

 Mandibles longitudinally strigose. 



Head and body with moderately abundant fine, erect hairs. 



Color fuscous throughout; mandibles, antennae, and tarsi paler. Pilosity 

 black. 



Wings (length 5.7 mm.) infuscated. 



Ysabel: Fulakora. San Cristoval: Pamua, Wainoni Bay. Ugi: 

 Pawa. Florida: Tulagi, Maliali. Malaita: Auki, near Fourafi, in 

 the interior. Rendova. 



There appear to be no local varieties of this species which ranges 

 throughout the group. Probably it is confined to the British Solo- 

 mons, for it is very common where it occurs and would have been 

 recorded from further east if found there. I did not find any other 

 species of this genus, which is well developed in New Guinea. 



R. froggaUi lives generally in or beneath hollow logs lying on the 

 ground, sometimes in colonies numbering several hundred but more 

 frequently with less. It is a timid species, hustling its dark brown 

 pupae and the larvae into the nearest shelter and huddling there when 



