POKERING. 23 



Subfamily PONERIN^E. 



The species of this subfamily are characterized primarily by a 

 constriction, sometimes slight, but generally distinct, and often 

 remarkably deep, between the basal two abdominal segments, and 

 by the unmodified, powerful and generally exserted sting. The 

 body is more or less elongate and cylindrical, the abdomen especially 

 fco, the mandibles powerful, the antennae more or less massive : 

 eyes generally present, absent in one or two genera ; legs mode- 

 rately long. Habits predaceous and carnivorous. The Ponerince 

 carry their prey or food underneath the body between the fore legs, 

 a method of carrying food &c. quite different from that adopted 

 by the Camponotince and Myrmecince. The males and females of 

 the Ponerince, so far as they are known, are always winged. 



Key to the Genera. 



A. Antennal carinae not widened anteriorly, not 



covering base of antennae. 



a. Antennae 11- or 12-jointed. [p. 24. 



a'. Eyes entirely wanting SPHINCTOMYRMEX, 



b'. Eyes present. 



a 2 . Eyes remarkably large, lateral, placed 



below middle of head LIOPONERA, p. 26. 



6 2 . Eyes small, lateral, placed about or above 



middle of head CERAPACHYS, p. 28. 



b. Antennae 9-jointed SYSCIA, p. 31. 



c. Antennae l(>-jointed OOCERJEA, p. 31. 



B. Antennal carinae widened anteriorly, more or 



less covering base of antennae. 



a. Pedicel not free ; a strong constriction, but no 



flexible joint between pedicel and abdomen. 



a'. Mandibles with a distinct apical margin. . MYOPOPONE, p. 33. 

 b'. Mandibles without any distinct apical 

 margin. 



a 2 . Mandibles spatulate at apex MYSTRICM, p. 35. 



b~. Mandibles pointed at apex STIGMATOMMA, 



b. Pedicel free, with a flexible joint between it [p. 36. 



and the abdomen. 

 a'. Mandibles articulated close together in 



middle of front margin of head. [p. 46. 

 a 2 . Antennal hollows confluent posteriorly. ODONTOMACHUS, 

 b 2 . Antennal hollows not confluent pos- 

 teriorly ANOCHETUS, p. 38. 



b'. Mandibles articulated, wide apart at lateral 



angles of front margin of head. 

 a' 2 . Mandibles long, curved upwards, one 



strong tooth at base of masticatory [p. 49. 



margin, thence denticulate to apex DREPANOGNATHUS, 



6 2 . Mandibles differently formed. 

 a 3 . Claws pectinate. 

 a 4 . Mandibles arched, long, narrow, 



pointed, with no apical margin. . . . LEPTOGENYS, p. 52. 

 b 4 . Mandibles often long and narrow, 

 with a distinct, if oblique apical 

 margin LOBOPELTA, p. 54. 



