A Study of Some Ergatogynic Ants. 327 



If Adlkhz's Statement is tiiie, tliat tlie presence of the recep- 

 t a (' u 1 n ni s e nii n i s indicates the capacity of performing the function 

 of (iiieeii. tliei) there is no physioloo-ical reason why those workers 

 posscssiiiü- the receptacnlum shoiild not liave the power of per- 

 fonninü- the function of the sexual female. and it is believed that 

 they do. His Statement tliat tlie receptacnlum seminis denotes 

 the true ([ueen of the colony is not borne out by the conditions 

 existing in some of the ants investigated. The conditions existing 

 in Lcpfofhora.r cnierso»! alone renders the last Statement worthless as 

 n general law. The condition in these ants. taken in connection 

 with the conditions preA'ailing in the other species, shows that in 

 'jreneral the presence of the receptacnlum seminis is not 

 lieculiar to the queen ant and therefore cannot be used as a per- 

 fectly reliable means of distinguishing the queen from the workers, 

 l)iit nuist be taken in connection with all the other characteristic 

 strurtures. 



In conclnsion I desire to express my graditude to Dr. Wm. 

 M. "Wheeler, under whose direction and inspiration this work has 

 l»een done. for much of the material used, and for the many kind 

 and helpful suggestions made. 



Austin, Texas, June 1, 1902. 



21" 



