HYMENOPTERA. ACULEATA. 201 



" I think, if Solomon's words are properly considered, 

 it will be found that this interpretation has been fastened 

 upon them, rather than fairly deduced from them. He 

 does not affirm that the ant, which he proposes to his 

 sluggard as an example, laid up in her magazine stores 

 of grain The words may very well be inter- 

 preted simply to mean that the ant, with commendable 

 prudence and foresight " (and surely we may add with 

 industry), " makes use of the proper seasons to collect a 

 supply of provisions sufficient for her purposes. There 

 is not a word implying that she stores up grain or other 

 provision. She prepares her bread, and gathers her 

 food namely, such food as is suited to her in summer 

 and harvest that is, when it is most plentiful, and thus 

 shows her wisdom and prudence by using the advantages 

 offered to her. The words thus interpreted, which they 

 may bear without any violence, will apply to our Euro- 

 pean species as well as to those that are not indigenous."* 



The Social Ants, formerly all included under Formicidse, 

 now form the three families, Formicidse, Ponerida?, and 

 Myrmecidse. These are distinguished by the " nodes " 

 on the abdomen. In the two former families there is 

 but one, in the latter two (see figs. 53, 54, pp. 188, 

 189 ; and PI. VII., fig. 1). The females of the Formi- 

 cidse present an exception in the Section to which they 

 belong, being without a sting. In Ponerida? (of which 

 there is but one, and that a rare English species), and 

 the Myrmecidffi, both females and neuters are provided 

 with this weapon. 



The Solitary Ants, or Mutillidse, although a very 

 numerous family abroad, consist in England of but 



* The word translated "provideth" does not necessarily imply foresiy lit. 

 In Gen. xliii. 16, the same verb is translated "make ready." 



