48 (Febnuiiy, IWiO. 



Leptinus testaceus, a small yellow insect, which runs very fast, is sometimes 

 found with this ant ; it also occurs in humble-bee's nests, and the nests of small 

 rodents. 



Scydmcenus pusillus [ took on one occasion in company with this ant ; heretofore 

 it has only been recorded as associating with Formica rufa. 



Formica flava. — The nest of this ant is either in a mound of 

 earth or situated under a stone, generally a flint. In the first case very 

 little can be done ; I have tried cutting away a small portion of the 

 mound and placing a brick in the cavity thus made, but I have only 

 on one occasion taken anything in this kind of nest, that being a 

 specimen of Staphylinus stercorarius. 



When the nest is constructed under a stone, the stone should be 

 quickly but carefully raised (so as not to cause the sides of the 

 chambers, which will be discovered under it, to fall in), and placed in • 

 the bag ; then kneeling down, the chambers and galleries should be 

 minutely scrutinized, when beetles will often be seen in them ; the 

 ants meanwhile should be closely watched, as they often seize and 

 carry down the beetles into the nest in the same manner as they do 

 their own pupae and larvae. Next, the under-side of the stone should 

 be inspected, as beetles are frequently to be found careering on it. 

 The stone must always be put back into the exact position it held 

 before, this being done the nest can be examined again and again 

 without injury to the ants. 



The following species occur with this ant : — Myrmedonia limbata, Pk. ; Othius 

 myrmecophilus, Kies. ; Astilbus canal iculatus, F. ; Staphylinus stercorarius, 01. ; 

 Claviger foveolatus, Miill. ; Hetarius ferrugineus, 01. ; Trichonyx McerJceli, Aube. 



Claviger foveolatus is, as a rule, found singly, but I have taken two, three, and 

 eVen five specimens in one nest,* and though it generally occurs with this ant, I 

 have found it with Formica nigra also, and may add that I have taken it in May, 

 June, July, and August. 



Hetarius ferrugineus I have been unable to find as yet, though I have diligently 

 searched for it. It is found with Formica flava,fusca, and sanguinea. 



Of the other ants with which beetles occur — 



Formica fusca is found either under stones or in old posts and 

 stumps ; in the former case they should be treated in the same manner 

 as Formica Jlava, and in the latter the stump should be broken up 

 over paper. 



Aleochara ruficornis, Gr. ; Homoeusa acuminata, Mark. ; Dinarda dentata, Gr. ; 

 Atemeles emarginatus, Pk., and paradoxus, Gr. ; Myrmedonia limbata, Pk. ; Furyusa 

 laticollis, Heer; Ptenidium Kraatzi, Matth. ; and Hetrtrius ferrugineus, 0\., are 

 found with this ant. 



* It has been taken in abundance in one nest by Mr. J. J. Walker, as well as by myself and 

 other collectors. — G. C. C. 



