150 L1F:e stories of AUSXkALIAN INSECTS. 



dog ants), their action is often supplemented by 

 that of a well-developed sting. Many species of 

 Formica spray their enemies with formic acid, or 

 inject it into their victims by moving the gaster 

 (thicker part of the abdomen) forward and center- 

 ing its tip on the wound made by their mandibles. 

 In battles with other species or aliens of their own 

 species they pull their opponents' legs or antennae 

 with their mandibles and spray the tense membrane 

 between the joints. Enough of this acid is ab- 

 sorbed to cause temporary paralysis or death. The 

 Dolichoderinse (to which our gravel or mound ant 

 belongs), and some Myrmicinge smear their victims 

 with a maloderous secretion from the anal gland, 

 which seems to have an equally irritating and ob- 

 noxious effect. While in many species some or all 

 of these aggressive measures may be adopted by 

 the workers in general, other species have a speci- 

 ally protective caste in the soldiers (Camponotus 

 and Atta, etc.)" 



Many of the weaker colonies of ants take refuge 

 in flight. In almost every species of ants some of the 

 workers rush away with the larvae, pupae and eggs as 

 soon as the nest is disturbed, even when the soldier 

 workers or ordinary workers show resistance. But 

 some species of ants are timid and rush at once 

 into the inner passages of the nest without offering 

 fight. Other species of ants feign death. Almost 

 every log and stone shelters ants' nests, and the 

 rushing away with pupae and and larvae can be seen 

 on lifting the stone. 



