116 FORMICID^S. 



at the meso-metanotal suture as in <S. nigra. Metauotuin very 

 short, extremely convex, but a little compressed, forming only a 

 single rounded boss, about twice as long as broad. The 1st node 

 of the pedicel as in S. allaborans, with, however, a petiole only 

 half as long as in that species, and about one-third as long as the 

 node itself. Besides, the node is not convex beneath and is petio- 

 late posteriorly as well as in front. Second node about as broad 

 as long, constricted but not petiolate anteriorly. Legs as in 

 S. allaborans, less incrassate than in S. lonyiceps. Entirely smooth 

 and shining, very sparsely and finely punctured. Pilosity yellowish, 

 moderately fine on the body, short on the tibiae and scape and 

 more abundant than in S. allaborans. Pubescence very sparse 

 and short. Black ; the mandibles, front of the head, antennae, 

 petiole of the 1st node of the pedicel, circumference of the 2nd 

 node, and margins of the abdominal segments of a reddish yellow, 

 with the club of the antennae and the middle of the femora and 

 of the tibiae brown." (Forel.) 



Length, 3'7 mm. 



Hab. Western India?, Ceylon? (Green}. 



I have given a translation of Dr. Forel's original description of 

 this species, as two specimens of a Sima sent to me from Ceylon 

 by Mr. Green, though they answer to the above description fairly 

 well, differ in the points noted below. They are not S. allaborans 

 of Walker, and I believe them to be a variety of S. aitkeni. They 

 differ from the latter as follows : Pro-mesonotum rather depressed 

 than forming a marked convexity. First node of the pedicel 

 petiolate in front, with a petiole quite as long as in S. allaborans, 

 but with a tooth beneath as in Dr. Forel's description of S. aitkeni, 

 and not convex. Dr. Forel has unfortunately omitted to state 

 the habitat of his species. 



Two species, presumably belonging to this genus, were described 

 by Dr. Jerdon in the ' Madras Journal of Literature and Science,' 

 vol. xvii (1851) p. 112. These, however, have not, so far as I 

 know, been identified of late years. 



Dr. Jerdon's descriptions, which I reproduce below, are of the 

 briefest, and, I fear, preclude the hope of the species being 

 recognized. 



" ECITON RUFIPES, Jerdon. 



" Worker length ^ths of an inch ; head oblong, eves very large, 

 slightly advanced ; thorax considerably grooved ; abdominal pedicles 

 long, low ; abdouen long, ovate ; black, with rufous legs. 



" I have only tound this species on one occasion under a stone 

 in the Salem district, and know not if it has the dendrophilous 

 habits of the two last." 



" ECITON MINUTUM, Jerdon. 



"Worker about J^th of an inch long, black throughout, very 

 slender ; legs rather thick, palpi much exposed. I regret that I. 

 have not at present a specimen of this ant to describe more fully." 



