MANN: ANTS OF THE FIJI ISLANDS. 



469 



55. Iridomyrmex sororis, sp. nov. Fig. 26. 



Worker. Length 1.75-2 mm. 



Head about one fifth longer than broad, moderately narrowed in front, with 

 convex sides, broadly rounded posterior corners and nearh- straight occipital 

 border. Mandibles thick, their blades with six small triangular teeth. Cly- 

 peus roundly elevated at middle of basal half, very shallowly concave at mid- 

 dle of anterior border. Frontal carinae extending a little beyond anterior 

 border of eyes. Antennal scapes barely surpassing occipital corners; funicu- 

 lus stout, first and second joints nearly t^^^ce as long as broad, remaining 

 joints, except the terminal, slightly longer than broad, terminal joint not quite 

 as long as the two preceding joints together. Eyes large, feeblj- convex, 

 situated in front of sides a little before the middle. Thorax robust. Pro- 

 notum broader than long, strongly rounded at sides, rather fiat above. Meso- 

 thorax longer than broad, little convex above. Mesoepinotal impression very 

 strong. Base of epinotum sUghtly longer than broad, moderately convex, 

 much shorter than the declivity over which the thick posterior border projects; 

 dech^^ty in profile concave. Node very broad and thin, as broad basalh' as 

 at top, narro'o-l}' rounded above; seen from the front, the dorsal surface is 

 broadly rounded. Gaster short, and broad. 



Fig. 26. — Iridomyrmex sorosis Mann. Worker. Lateral view of thorax and petiole. 



Opaque, except the gaster, which in certain lights has a strong violaceous 

 reflection. Mandibles denselj' punctate at basal half, more sparsely apicalW. 

 Head, thorax, and epinotum very densely punctate; petiole, gaster, and legs 

 densely but much more finely punctate. 



Clypeus with a few erect hairs; gaster with a covering of microscopic re- 

 cimibent pubescence. 



Color black, except for the violet reflections on gaster, and the basal half of 

 scapes and the funicuh which are reddish brown and the tarsi, which are 

 yellowish brown. 



Female. Length 4 mm. 



Head similar to that of worker. Antennal scapes not quite attaining 

 occipital corners. Eyes situated at sides of front anterior to middle; their 



