166* FOSSORIAL PR^DONES. FORMICID^, OK ANTS. 



they are commonly known as Sand and Wood Wasps. They are 

 solitary in their mode of life, and consequently no neuters exist 

 among them. In general the females excavate cells in the 

 ground, or in posts, timbers, &c. ; in which they deposit 

 together with their eggs various larvae or perfect insects, and 

 (in some species) even spiders, which are destined for the sup- 

 port of their progeny when hatched. Occasionally the insects 

 composing this store are first stung to death ; but sometimes 

 they are only slightly stung, and are finally killed by the larvae 

 when they come forth, from their eggs, being in this manner 

 rendered powerless, whilst their bodies are prevented from 

 decomposing. The perfect insects are generally very active, 

 and fond of the nectar of flowers, especially those of the Umbelli- 

 ferous tribe. They delight in the hottest sunshine, flying and 

 running over sand-banks exposed to the mid-day sun, and 

 keeping their wings in constant agitation ; some of the tropical 

 species are among the largest of the order, and their sting is very 

 severe. The Sand-burrowers excavate their nests, by means of 

 powerful brushes, with which their legs are furnished ; whilst 

 the Wood-burrowers use for this purpose their strong broad 

 mandibles, which are 'provided with tooth-like projections. 



760. The next family, that of FORMICID^:, is composed of 

 the well-known and singularly interesting tribes of Ants (the 

 White Ants, improperly so called, belonging however to the 

 preceding order) ; which are distinguished from all the Hymen- 

 optera previously described, by their habit of residing under- 

 ground in numerous societies, and by the existence of neuters 

 among them, by which class the labours of the community are 

 chiefly performed. The males and females, which constitute 

 but a small proportion of each community, are alone furnished 

 with wings ; the former are the smallest. The neuters are 

 somewhat smaller than the males, and for the most part 

 resemble the females in conformation ; but the thorax is 

 smaller, not having to give attachment to wings. The nests 

 of Ants are differently constructed in the different species, but 

 all are very curiously and regularly arranged ; some account of 

 them will be given hereafter. The males and females leave the 



