INSECT ODDITIES. 255 



are briefly chronicled in the Proceedings of the Entomological Society for the 

 year 1894. 



The strength and tenacity of jaw manifested by the North Queensland Green 

 Ants in the architecture of their nests is also displayed by them in the capture of 

 living prey. The writer frequently observed instances in which an unfortunate beetle, 

 or other insect, had fallen a victim to their hunting expeditions. It was in such case 

 pinioned fast to the ground by a radiating circle of its merciless captors, every limb 

 being dragged out to its fullest extension. Secured in this helpless position the poor 

 insect was then speedily dismembered and transported piece-meal to the Green 

 Ants' larder. 



A singular little winged insect, apparently of the Hymenopterous order, was 

 observed hovering over and occasionally lighting upon one of the Green Ants' nests 

 under observation. As shown in the enlarged drawing of it, given in fig. 4 of Chromo- 

 Plate IX. the natural size being indicated by the cross lines in its vicinity 

 the most remarkable features of this fly were the gouty-like enlargement of the 

 central joints of the hind limbs and the somewhat coincident abnormal dimensions of 

 the last abdominal segment. While hovering, both these weighted limbs and the 

 abdomen hung perpendicularly to the otherwise horizontal plane of the little creature's 

 body. From the special attention that this fly concentrated upon the Green Ants' 

 nest, it would appear probable that it was in some way related either as a 

 commensal or a parasite with the hymenopterous community. 



An exceedingly interesting account of the practical utility to which the 

 gripping powers possessed by certain of the larger species of Ants may be applied 

 was contained in a paper contributed by Mr. E. Middleton, to the Meeting of the 

 Linnsean Society for February 6th, 1896. According to a communication received by 

 that gentleman from Mr. Miltiades Issigonis, of Smyrna, extensive use is made by the 

 Greek Barber Surgeons of the Levant of a large species of ant for the purpose of 

 holding together the edges of incised wounds. The ant, held with a pair of 

 forceps, opens its mandibles wide and is then permitted to seize the edges of the cut 

 which are held together for this purpose. As soon as a firm grip is established the 

 ant's head is severed from the body and remains tenaciously holding the cut edges of 

 the wound in the position most favourable for its speedy healing. Mr. Issigonis had 

 seen several natives with wounds in course of healing to which seven or eight 

 such decapitated ants' heads were attached. There can be no doubt that Australia 

 from among her larger " Bull-dog " and " Inchmen " races could furnish a phenomenally 



