106 THE CAUSES WHICH PROPAGATE 



The Solitary Ants are partial to barren^ sandy soils, Avhere 

 the males frequent flowers and the females lurk in holes imtil the 

 hymeneal hour, when they may be seen borne by the former through 

 the air. Their subsequent oviposition in Bumble Bee nests 

 decimates the constructors, one establishment evolving seventy-six 

 of the European Solitary Ant and only two bees. The species 

 attain a maximum in warm climates, thirteen inhabiting Kepha- 

 lonia. While passing a fortnight on the island of Capri in the 

 Bay of Naples, I was able to procure a few females of Mat ilia 

 hungarica, F., some wandering on clayey spots, and others taken 

 covered with honey, emerging from the cells of a small violet 

 bee [Chalicodoma mufaria, F.). When first seized these would 

 produce a sharp sound — "Tip! Tip""^ — by drawing their shield 

 half under the second segment and then pausing ; this note was 

 then lengthened by a complete movement of the segment 

 forward, and then the action lapsed into a quickly reciprocating 

 double stroke, causing the note to rise in pitch. On seizure 

 they also threatened with an elongate sting. The musical organs 

 of the Solitary Ants closely resemble those of the Longicorn 

 Beetles, except in being placed on the abdominal rings in lieu 

 of those of the thoracic division, and that the single lima is 

 here the active agent. 



At Guildford, towards the middle of Jul 3^, 1877, 1 was in the 

 habit of entertaining myself, by examining with a pocket lens 

 some individuals of a small yellow emmet {Myrmica rnginodh), 

 which had established a sj)arsely-visited domicile beneath a wall, 

 and were invariably collected on the blighted spikes of certain 

 neighbouring clumps of wayside thistles.'^ When the sun shone 

 these thistle-heads became really objects of interest if thus 

 scrutinised. You saw the aphides exemplified in their various 

 stages, each with its rostrum plunged deep in the sappy cuticle ; 

 and gathered round the desiring ants, who, ever on the alert, 

 moved from one to another watching for each slowly welling 

 .drop of honey-dew, which as it appeared at the anal tubes, was 

 forthwith an object of eager contention, two often sucking the 

 precious secretion together. 



Wishing to reproduce this curious scene, which may now be seen 



* Cnicus nrreiisis and lanceolatus. 



