mann: ants of the fiji islands. 453 



spines broad basally, longer than their distance apart at base and divergent; 

 inferior spines strong, elongate, triangular. Petiolar peduncle as long as the 

 node; node in jM-ofile higher than long, highest in front, with dorsal and 

 posterior svu'faces evenly rounding into each other, anterior face declivous; 

 from above a little broader than long and rounded at sides. Postpetiole from 

 above shghtly broader than long and a little broader in front than behind; 

 in profile higher than long, strongly convex above. 



Shining. Mandibles punctate. Chi^eus smooth; front of head with a pair 

 of costae as strong as the frontal carinae and parallel to them and between 

 the two an equally strong, though interrupted costa; median portion with 

 strong, though not broad, piligerous punctures, surface between eyes and 

 antennal insertions with 9-10 oblique and somewhat arcuate, strong parallel 

 costae; which continue in concentric curves on to the occiput. Thorax and 

 gaster with sparse piligerous punctation. Petiole and postpetiole transversely 

 costate, the costae in profile appearing as blunt teeth on the ventral borders. 

 Antennae and logs punctate. 



Pilosity of head and body abundant, very long and fine, that of appendages 

 shorter and stiffer. 



Dark red-brown to black, mandibles reddish, legs light reddish brown. 



Ovalau: Levuka (Type-locality). Vanua Levu: Lasema, Suene. 



A characteristic species, with strongly convex promesonotum, 

 deeply impressed mesoepinotal impression, strong epinotal spines and 

 shining tegument. Tyj)c. — M. C. Z. 8,703. 



This species and two following well-defined subspecies form small 

 colonies, nesting in damp earth beneath stones on logs. I frequently 

 noticed workers foraging on the sides of mossy stones in ravines. 



39a. RoGERiA (Irogera) tortuosa IVIann, subsp. levifrons, 



subsp. nov. 



Worker. Length 3.50 mm. 



Differing from the typical form in the absence of costae on the front inward 

 to the frontal carinae and in the oblique lateral costae being much more feeble. 



Viti Levu: Nadarivatu (Type-locality), ^Yaiyanitu, Vesari, Saiaro. 

 Described from several workers. Type. — M. C. Z. 8,704. 



39b. RoGERiA (Irogera) tortuosa Mann, subsp. polita, subsp. nov. 



Worker. Length 2.75-3 mm. 



Differing from the typical tortuosa in the entire absence of striae on the 

 occiput which is sparsely punctate and shining. The frontal carinae are more 



