MANN: ANTS OF THE BRITISH SOLOMON ISLANDS. 317 



specimens agree closely in form and sculpture with a cotype in the 

 U. S. N. M. collection. In the large series before me there is a great 

 deal of variation in color, from dark to light brown. 



One soldier from Pamua is interesting in having a large and well- 

 developed median ocellus^ situated slightly to the right of the middle 

 of the front. 



44a. Pheidole oceanica Mayr, var. pattesoni, var. nov. 



Santa Cruz: Graciosa Bay. 



All of the soldiers and workers in the series from the above locality 

 are much more uniform and darker in color (dark brown to black) 

 than specimens from the Solomons and may be considered a geographi- 

 cal variety. Type.— M. C. Z. 9,162. 



45. Cardiocondyla nivalis, sp. nov. 



Worker. Length 1.75 mm. 



Head longer than broad, narrowest in front; sides moderately convex; 

 posterior border very shallowly concave. Clypeus flat above and very broadly 

 and feebly concave at anterior border. Mandibles with three small but dis- 

 tinct teeth and a larger subapical tooth. Antennal scapes extending four 

 fifths the distance to occipital corners; first funicular joint as long as the three 

 following joints together; remaining joints, except those forming the club, 

 transverse; first joint of club as long as broad; second longer than broad, 

 terminal as long as the five preceding joints together. Eyes large and convex, 

 located at sides of head in front of middle. Promesothorax flattened above, 

 the suture very feeble. Sides of prothorax strongly convex; anterior border 

 and humeral angles broadly rounded. Mesothorax about as broad as long, 

 with nearly straight sides. Basal portion of epinotimi rounded above; in 

 profile straight, and longer than the concave declivity; spines strong, long, 

 and diverging. Petiole strongly pedunculate, with an acute anteroventral 

 tooth; node from above rounded in front and at sides; in profile deeper than 

 long, with declivous anterior surface, nearly flat top and sloping posterior 

 surface. Postpetiole broader than long; broadest in front of middle, with 

 convex sides and straight anterior and posterior borders; in profile longer 

 than high and convex above. Gaster only slightly longer than petiole and 

 postpetiole together. 



Gaster smooth and shining; the rest subopaque and very densely punctulate. 

 Mandibles subopaque and more coarsely punctate. 



