236 INSECTA. 



The economy of the Ants foreign to Europe, and those of tropical 

 countries particularly, is unknown to us. If these, called the Four- 

 mis de vinte by the French colonists, are sometimes of use to them 

 by purging their dwellings of Rats, and a multitude of destructive or 

 disagreeable Insects, other species induce them to curse their exis- 

 tence on account of the extent of their depredations, which it is im- 

 possible to prevent. 



I divide the genus Formica in the following manner : 



Formica, 

 Or Ants properly so called, in which the sting is wanting, and the an- 

 tennae are inserted near the front ; their mandibles are triangular, 

 dentated, and incisive. The pedicle of the abdomen never consists of 

 more than one scale or knot. 



F. bispinosa, Lat., Hist. Nat. des Fourm., p. 133, iv, 20. 

 Black ; two spines before the thorax ; scale of the abdomen ter- 

 minated in a long and sharp point. It forms its nest with a 

 large qviantity of down, apparently derived from a species of Gos- 

 sampinus. — Inhabits Cayenne. 



F. rufa, L. : Lat., Ibid., v, 28. The neuter about four lines 

 in length, blackish ; thorax, scale, and great part of the head, 

 fulvous; thorax unequal; the ocelli somewhat apparent. It 

 forms conical or dome-like and frequently large hills in the 

 woods, composed of earth, ligneous fragments, &c. It produces 

 formic acid. The winged individuals appear in the spring. 



F, sanguinea, Lat., Ibid., v, 29. The male similar to the pre- 

 ceding ones, but of a blood-red colour ; abdomen cinereous- 

 black. It inhabits the woods, and is one of those denominated 

 Amazons or Legionnaires by M. Huber. 



F. cunicidaria, Lat. Head and abdomen of the male black ; 

 vicinity of the mouth, under part of the head, thorax, legs, and 

 first joint of the antennae, pale fulvous. This and the following 

 species are those captured by the Amazons, and transported to 

 their hills, in order to aid and replace them in the rearing of 

 their young. 



F. fusca, L. ; F. noir cendree, Lat,, Ibid., vi, 32. The male 

 cinereous-black and glossy ; base of the antennae and legs red- 

 dish ; the scale large and almost triangular; three apparent 

 ocelli. 



POLYERGUS, Lat., 



Where the sting is still wanting, but where the antennae are in- 

 serted near the mouth, and the mandibles are narrow, and arcuated 

 or strongly hooked. 



F.roussdtre, Lat., Ibid., vii, 38, is the species more particularly 



ever it is found — generally speaking, and always supposing its domicil to be com- 

 pleted — always prefers particles of sugar, animal matter, and of what may strictly 

 be denominated provisions, to substances much more durable and better calculated 

 for building. — Eng. Ed. 



