wheeler: ants of the genus formica. 



61. F. ADAMSi var. alpina ^Yheele^. 



475 



F. adamsi var. alpina Wheeler, Journ. N. Y. ent. soc, 1909, 17, p. 84, ^ ; 

 Rept. Mich. geol. survey for 1908, 1909, p. 327, y . 



Worker. Length 3.5-5 mm. 



Differing from the typical adamsi in having the border of the petiole 

 more attenuated and more produced upward in the middle, in the 

 black markings on the head, pro- and mesonotum being more restricted 

 and in having the frontal area smoother and more shining. 



Type locality.— Colorado: Pikes Peak, 10,500-11,000 ft., 

 (Wheeler). 



Idaho: Troy (W. M. Mann). 



Nova Scotia: Boisdale, Cape Breton I. (Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 

 Coll.). 



The red portions of the specimens from Idaho are paler than in 

 those from Colorado and Cape Breton I. and the ^^ellow spot at the 

 base of the gaster is conspicuous. The true status of this variety, 

 however, can be determined only by the study of more material than 

 I have been able to secure. 



62. F. nepticula Wheeler. 



F. nepticula Wheeler, Bull. Amer. mus. nat. hist., 1905, 21, p. 270, ^ 9 d^; 

 Ibid., 1906, 22, p. 64. 



Worker. Length 3.5-6 mm. 



Mandibles 8-toothed. Head, excluding the mandibles, a little 

 longer than broad, but little narrower in front than behind, with 

 straight sides and posterior border. Clypeus strongly carinate, its 

 anterior border angularly produced in the middle. Frontal area 

 triangular, as long as broad. Antennae rather stout, j&rst to fourth 

 funicular joints longer and more slender than the penultimate joints. 

 Thorax in profile with very convex pro- and mesonotum and very 

 deep mesoepinotal constriction, which is broad at the bottom. Epino- 

 tum rounded, without distinct base and declivity, or, at any rate,, 

 without an angle between the base and declivity. Petiole large, as 

 high as the epinotum, convex in front, more flattened behind, border 

 rather sharp; seen from behind it is transverse in the middle and 

 obliquely truncated on each side, the lateral borders being straight 

 and converging below. 



Head, thorax, and petiole subopaque, very finely shagreened; 

 mandibles, clypeus, and frontal portion of head, and especially the 



