438 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



is nearly bare, only a lew short hairs being scattered over it. 

 The description is taken from a fine specimen in my collection, 

 presented to me by the Eev. J. H. Bernau. 



An allied species, Ponera contractu, has been discovered in 

 England. It is widely spread, though not very plentiful. It 

 is a very tiny insect, but yet has many of the habits of its 

 gigantic relative, living under stones in small communities and 

 not working in concert. The nest, like that of the Dinoponera, 

 is found under stones or at the roots of plants. 



The insect which is here shown belongs to a group of insects 

 which are popularly called Foraging Ants, on account of their 

 singular habits. 



Flo. 225.— Eciton hainata. 



(Reddish blown.) 



They live in vast communities, and sally out in large armies 

 in search of food. They are marshalled as regularly as if they 

 were soldiers, and, as is the case with human soldiers, are com- 

 manded by officers. These officers are the large-headed neuters, 

 one of which is shown in the illustration. Their legs are long 

 and active, their bodies are slender, but their heads are of enor- 

 mous comparative size, each side of the head being swollen into 

 a semi-globular form. The .jaws with which the head is armed 

 are exceedingly formidable. Each jaw is nearly half as long as 

 the body, is very sharply pointed, and is curved into a hook- 

 like shape both inwards and downwards. Mr. F. Smith was 

 kind enough to present me with a good series of these insects. 



