IK*. 



ANTS have attracted attention from the earliest 

 ages, on account of the singular economy and 

 extraordinary industry manifested by the different 

 species. This has been more particularly the case 

 in the colder climates of Europe, for of the 

 numerous races of the South-East of Asia, not one 

 takes any interest in natural history. It is probable 

 that many fresh species of ants will yet be 

 discovered. Forty -seven species have been de- 

 scribed in Southern India by Mr. Jerdon, a Madras 

 medical officer; and Mr. Nietner, of Ceylon^ 

 has forwarded to the Berlin Museum upwards of 

 seventy species taken by him in that island, chiefly 

 in the western province and in the vicinity of 

 Colombo. 



The term white ants is applied by the English in 

 India to species of termites. They are interesting 

 by reason of the great mounds of earth which they 

 erect. Those in India seldom exceed seven or 

 eight feet, but some ant-hills in South Africa are of 



