198 Tli.LYSFORMATIOXS OF IXSECTS. 



great number of species of ants, and they may be divided into 

 three groups, which are characterised by some rather important 

 structural cHfferences. These groups are the Formicitcs, Poncritcs, 

 and the ]\Iyrmicitcs. The segment at the base of the abdomen 

 forms a single knot or swelling in the first and second groups, 

 but the females and the workers of the Poncritcs have stings, and 

 those of the Forniicites have not. The ]\Iynnicitcs have a sting, 

 but their abdominal segment is formed into two knot-like divisions. 

 The common genus Formica, the true ants, belongs to the 

 Formicites, and its individuals may be distinguished by their 

 triangular and very dentate mandibles, which are their tools. As 

 every species of ant has peculiar habits, it is best to take one as 

 the type. The ant to which we intend to devote our attention 



Male. Worker. Female. 



ASHY ANT. 



is by no means uncommon, for although it may not be found in 

 woods and copses, yet it is sure to be met with upon nearly every 

 road or path, and very few people that live in Central Europe can 

 say they have never seen a long train or column of the red ant. 

 This ant, I Formica riifa, or the Red Ant, is principally known 

 through its workers, which are nearly red, and are very interesting 

 to watch. The workers have a black spot on the head, and some- 

 times on the thorax, and the abdomen is blackish above, except 

 at the waist. The female, which has the same general tint as 

 the worker, is shining as if it had been polished, and it has the 

 upper parts of the head, the thorax, and the abdomen of a 

 beautiful black colour, and the wings are rather dusky at their 

 bases. The male, which is almost as large as the female, is 

 quite black and hairy. 



Now, let us examine the dwelling-places of these red ants. 



