234 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
ing excursion, rather than changing their abode, because many of 
the ants themselves were mutilated. (Ann. Se. Nat. June 1831.) 
I have above alluded to the habits of our indigenous ants of obtain- 
ing a supply of honey dew from the Aphides and Cocci; but the ex- 
otic species of the family do not confine themselves to these tribes ; 
since, in General Hardwicke’s drawings of Indian zoology, now in the 
British Museum, I have observed several representations, in which 
ants are in the act of milking the larve of various species of Cerco- 
pide ; and M. Lund has also noticed the same in a Brazilian species 
F, (Dolichoderus Lund) attelaboides Fab., which thus attaches itself 
to the larva and pupe of Cercopis and Membracis. He observes, 
however, that this is probably owing to the entire absence of Aphides 
in the interior of the country (although they are occasionally found 
near Rio Janeiro; where, however, they had, in all probability, been 
imported with plants from other parts of the world). He also once 
found the larva of a Fulgora in an ant’s nest. I may here mention 
having repeatedly found many very young individuals of a perfectly 
white colour, belonging to species of Oniscus*, in the nests both of 
Formice and Myrmice ; and M. Lund noticed a column of Myrmica 
typhlos+, many of the specimens of which carried an Oniscus beneath 
the abdomen, the latter holding itself in that position by its short 
hooked legs, which gave the Myrmica a most singular appearance. 
Latreille also noticed Onisci creeping about at will in the nests of 
Formica rufa. On disturbing the nests of Formica fusca, I have al- 
“most invariably observed an extremely minute fly, belonging to 
the genus Trineura Meig., hovering over the nest, as though it had 
also been disturbed, and darting at times upon the ants. 
The habits of the singular Brazilian genus Cryptocerus are quite 
unlike those of the rest of the family. They are solitary idle crea- 
tures, fixing themselves all day long in the middle of a leaf, and when 
alarmed, retreating slowly sideways to the under side of the leaf. How 
far it is correct to assert, with Lund, that they are in no degree 
social, and the care of the young depends on the females, the neuters 
being entirely useless, has yet to be ascertained. Pohl and Kollar 
inform us that a large species of this genus emits a liquid which stains 
the flesh for several days. 
* The same fact is also mentioned by Mr. Knapp (Journal of a Naturalist, 
p- 304.). Warious Coleoptera, also (g. Claviger, Batrisus, Myrmechixenus, &e. ), 
inhabit ant’s nests. See Chevrolat, in Silberm. Rev. Ent. No. 17. 
+ This species is blind, a peeuliarity which Lund thinks has some influence in the 
selection of their lucifugous companions. 
