344 CLAUDE FULLER. 



apex of wliicli those ahead take flight. As the insects all 

 stream away in one direction, carried on some gentle air 

 current, the emergence as a whole resembles a cloud of smoke 

 issuing from a chimney. 



If one of the holes from which they are emerging is 

 covered by a glass tumbler the action at once ceases and the 

 workers retire. If a series of holes are so covered the effect 

 is the same, but, very rapidly, fresh openings are made near 

 by and the exodus proceeds. 



The females are the first to alight, and they do so directly 

 on to the soil surface, always selecting a spot — large or small 

 — which is bare of vegetation. On alighting they immediately 

 dealate ; occasionally they then run forward an inch or two, 

 but more usually stand still and, puffing up the apex of the 

 abdomen, elevate it until one half of 

 EXT-pi . . ^1^^^ region is at right angles to the 



rest of the body. Without doubt some 

 perfume is wafted upwards, for males 

 flying low overhead are immediately 



T. incertus . A female attracted and drop to the ground within 

 m the calling attitude. . '^ ° 



X 1-5. 6 to 18 inches of the female. Usually 



only one alights, but sometimes 

 several do so. The male at once dealates and hurries with, 

 comparatively speaking, remarkable precision towards the 

 female, even should he fall amidst the grass. In one instance 

 where the females were alighting the ground was overrun 

 Avith ants to such an extent that as each fell it was captured. 

 Over this area males were seen flying low (20 to 30 inches) 

 and, to all appearance, systematically searching the area for 

 the expected scent. This they did until darkness fell. 



The female does not remain in the calling attitude in- 

 definitely, and the period is seldom more than a minute at the 

 outside. She usually lowers her abdomen after a short while, 

 runs a little Avay and then elevates it again. Directly she 

 detects the immediate proximity of the male, and is certain 

 that he is about to approach her, she hurries forward, and the 

 male, catching up to her and placing his head upon the end 



