152 Mr. F. Smith's Notes on the 



vairt for more, and I have never met with it in the nest o^ Formica 

 rufa since, but I attribute this to the nature of the materials ren- 

 dering it diflRcuit to detect it. I left this nest and examined that 

 of F. fusca, in it I found three specimens of Atemeles, and while 

 observing the various occupations of the ants I noticed one about 

 to enter with an insect in its mouth ; I captured it, and it proved to 

 be the same StaphyUnus. In about an hour and a half I secured by 

 the same means about ten specimens ; one or two I saw endeavour- 

 ing to make their escape, but they were seized upon by the ants 

 and carried back again. I should observe, that the ants carry to 

 their nest individuals of the genus F^ella, — having taken from 

 them several specimens of Pclla humeraUs ; I have also found 

 them alive in the nest. These observations naturally lead to the 

 question, for what purpose are they carried there? (and having 

 frequently found them there alive, and seen them detained when 

 endeavouring to escape,) I feel convinced that it is not for food. 

 I should, from what I have observed, feel inclined to believe, that 

 during the larva state of the ants, they perform some function, or 

 assist in so doing, for although I have searched most diligently I 

 have not in a single instance found one since that time. I allude 

 to the larva state of the males and females — can they perform 

 any office which causes the development of those sexes? this is 

 mere conjecture, arising from my not liaving found them since 

 the period of their development. 



To resume my observations on Formica rufa. — May 10th, I ex- 

 amined the nest and found plenty of pupte, $ and 5, having no 

 appearance of legs or wings at that time, in any which I examined. 

 May 18th, rudiments of both legs and wings were observable; 

 from this time up to the end of the month they gradually became 

 more perfect in their development, for by the 30tli both males and 

 females were easily distinguished when extracted from their pupa 

 cases, as will be seen in my box of specimens. On the 5th of 

 June I found both ^ and 5 in the winged state, in the nest; I 

 collected a quantity of cocoons, and several both of males and 

 females came out of their cases in ray boxes : about two o'clock 

 I saw several take wing from the nest, wheeling round in their 

 flight and rising high in the air — several pairs fell in a state of 

 copulation into a pond near the nest. Up to the fifth of June I 

 searched in vain for pupas of neuters ; but on the 18th of June I 

 found them in abundance, at which time nearly all the males and 

 females were developed, and, had there not been cold turbulent 

 weather since the 5th, I have no doubt they would all have taken 

 flight. On the 18th I also found eggs in abundance, of course of 



