BY GILBERT TURNER. 135 



about a quarter of an inch in diameter, firmly attached to the 

 inner walls of the nest bj' a white substance. 



Aphaenof/ aster longiceps, Sm., is a very common ant, and 

 during the wet weather throws up mounds of about eight inches 

 in diameter and rising to a height of three or fo\ir inches round 

 the opening ; they vary much in size and shape, and are most 

 numerous where the grass is shoi't, but from their loose construc- 

 tion are soon destroyed ; it is usual in cloudy weather to see 

 several workers on the top of the mound, but they hurry down 

 the chamber when disturbed. 



There is one species, Lepfomi/rmecc ert/throcej)Jiahis,Fahr., which 

 can be described as a "honey ant," for certain workers in every 

 nest have their abdomens greatly distended by a sweet, trans- 

 parent fluid. These workers are only found at the bottom of the 

 nest, about two feet from the surface; they can move about, but 

 are not as active as the unaltered workers, and never leave the 

 nest. I have occasionally found workers of two species of 

 Camponotus and two of Iridomyrmex away from the nests 

 with their abdomens slightly distended, but evidently only caused 

 by a hearty meal. 



One of our most extraordinary ants is Odontomaclius rujicepsy 

 Sm., var. coriarius, Mayr, a large insect measuring over half an 

 inch in length, with very long jaws hooked at the tip and 

 generally carried pointing straight out in front of the head; but 

 when disturbed it opens them out until at right angles to the 

 ordinary position on either side of the head, closing them quickly 

 with a snap causing a clicking sound, which is evidently done to 

 intimidate their enemies, as they do it only when frightened. 



By way of experiment, a few of these ants were placed in a 

 shallow cup about two inches deep, the sides of which sloped slightly 

 to the rim, but too steep for the ants to climb, so they managed 

 to get out in the following manner : opening their jaws to the 

 fullest extent, they placed themselves head downwards with the 

 body resting against the side of the cup, and suddenly closed 

 their jaws with a snap, just as if a watch spring had been 

 suddenly released, this action sujDplying enough impetus to not 



