Atta (CEcodoma) cephalotes, Latr. 161 



him, for the observations I have made clearly show the 

 " Soldier," or no. 3 of my set, to be actually a " soldier," 

 and a most resolute defender of the nest in which he(?) 

 resides. 



If a nest of Atta cephalotes is visited and the slightest 

 disturbance made, the first members which appear are the 

 " soldiers," who will seize any and every thing presented to 

 them or that comes in their way. I. have suffered myself 

 to be bitten on the hand by one of them, and have watched 

 the process. 



The mandibles are first fully extended and the skin is firmly 

 grasped by the points, but as the pressure is continued the 

 mandibles meet below the skin to a depth of 3 to 4 millim., 

 causing a neatly incised wound sometimes as much as 5 to 6 

 millim. in length, and resembling a cut from a small knife. 

 The grip of the animal is so tenacious that it will allow its 

 head to be pulled from its body before it will quit its hold, and 

 will fix to iron, flesh, or cloth with equal facility. 



Mr. Lunt, my assistant, when visiting a large nest had 

 thick woollen socks so cut through by the " soldier " of this 

 species that they were useless for further wear. 



If a nest is visited and an alarm caused by putting a piece 

 of iron, stick, or other instrument into their holes, it is sure, 

 when removed, to be covered with the " soldier " ants hanging 

 to it by their mandibles. 



In addition to these facts 1 have seen in my artificial nests, 

 which I have had under observation for some three years, 

 many fights with the " soldier." 



The workers of Atta octospinosa, Reich., among which 

 there are no " soldiers," can easily kill the u soldier " of 

 A. cephalotes : they proceed as follows: — The " soldier " is 

 attacked in regular order by six or eight of the octospinosa, 

 who completely surround their victim, and watch their oppor- 

 tunity to seize the outer joint of his (?) legs. This is cut off, 

 and gradually the creature is deprived of these appendages 

 joint by joint, and ultimately is left to move on mere stumps, 

 when it dies in a few hours. In doing this, the smaller 

 insects take particular care not to approach within the reach 

 of the " soldier's " mandibles, as to do so is certain destruction 

 to the individual who has such temerity ; they seldom do so, 

 but, on the contrary, the ooject appears to be to keep as far 

 away as possible and to hold the legs fully extended while 

 effecting their object of cutting them off piece by piece. 



" Soldiers," again, when placed together fight among 

 themselves, and a bodiless head and thorax is frequently seen 

 stalking about after such meetings. When placed together 



Ann. & Mag. N. Hist. Ser. 6. Vol. xvii. 11 



