38 
those of Odontomachus, provided on each segment with a transverse 
row of conical tubercles, each surrounded with a circle of hairs, and 
except for these the surface is naked. In ’ctatomma, on the con- 
trary, the larvee, like those of Stigmatomma, have a uniform coat of 
fine hairs. In Odontomachidee and Pachycondylde the eggs are 
eylindrical-oblong and adhere in bundles; in the Amblyponide and 
Ectatommide they are elliptical and adhere only in loose and irregu- 
lar masses. The Amblyponidee, Poneridee, and Ectatommide exca- 
vate subterranean chambers, while the Odontomachide and Pachy- 
condylide make, as far as known, only irregular anastomosing 
galleries. 
DOCTOR ASHMEAD’S NEW CLASSIFICATION OF THE PONERIDZ. 
On consulting Dr. William H. Ashmead, of the United States 
National Museum, the eminent specialist in the study of the Hymen- 
optera, it was learned that in a still unpublished revision of the clas- 
sification of the ants and allied insects he has recognized all these 
five groups as representing distinct families, subfamilies, or tribes 
on the basis of structural characters of the adult insects. 
As this new arrangement undoubtedly represents an important 
advance toward a natural and adequate classification of the kelep and 
its relatives, Doctor Ashmead was requested to permit the publication 
in this place of a brief extract from his manuscript, and he has kindly 
consented. The following analytical keys show the characters by 
which the kelep and its immediate relatives may be distinguished 
from other subfamilies and tribes. 
SYNOPSIS OF SUBFAMILIES OF PONERIDZ. 
ie, JEGhaxe longsy \yiplvey Too) Blo Keew Syonnbes Jeetlcee 3 2 
Hind tibiz usually with one apical spur, rarely without an apical spur; 
claws simplesor pectinate === se. =.= =e Subfamily I. PoNERIN 4 
2. Abdomen with only one joint to the petiole, the constriction between the 
second and third segments very shallow, the second segment therefore 
not nodiform; claws simple, cleft, or with a tooth beneath. 
Subfamily IJ. PACHYCONDYLIN® 
Abdomen with apparently tivo joints to the petiole, the constriction between 
the second and third segments very deep and strong, the second seg- 
ment therefore nodiform, nearly as in the Myrmicidze; claws cleft or 
Withee tooth beneatha== sas ane Subfamily III. Myrmictin#. 4 
a@This subfamily represents a peculiar genus of ants found in Australia re- 
sembling the genuine Myrmicids, and formerly classified with them, on accouut 
of the two-jointed abdominal petiole; but they are undoubtedly Ponerids, and 
Forel and Emery are right in removing them to this family. All of the species 
fall in a single genus, AZyrmicia Fabricius. 
