54 Mr. T. C. Jerdon on new species of Ants 



has its nest in holes of the wood or otherwise. Though scarce 

 in individuals, it is by no means rare, and I hope to be able to 

 describe it more fully hereafter. 



Genus Myrmica. 



Gen. Char. Autennse sufficiently exposed; head triangular, 

 without spines; maxillary palpi long, of six joints; jaws trian- 

 gular ; three cubital cells in the upper wings, the third incom- 

 plete, &c. Such are the characters assigned to this genus by 

 modern authors. Whether the following species all belong to 

 this genus or not, I cannot decide, but judging from their dif- 

 ferences, I imagine that they form at least three groups. 



In the first group I shall place two or three nearly allied 

 species, one of which has already been described by Col. Sykes 

 as a Myrmica, so that it may be considered the typical group. 

 Of this I have what I imagine to be three species, but all very 

 closely allied to each other. 



18. Myrmica diffusa, Jerdon (p. 113). 



Worker rather more than ^th of an inch long ; head wider than 

 thorax, oblong, triangular, striated ; antennae rather short, basal 

 joint barely longer than the head, inserted near the mouth; 

 eyes large ; thorax notched, with two small spines on the pos- 

 terior angles, curving backwards ; first abdominal pedicle longish, 

 somewhat heart-shaped, excavated, second obovate, both very 

 slightly raised ; abdomen triangular ; head and body rufous ; 

 abdomen dark glossy brown. 



Female, head not wider than the thorax, which is not spined ; 

 length y gths of an inch ; wings not so long as abdomen. 



Male, head very small; eyes large; antennae with the first 

 joint not elongated ; no spines on thorax, which is much raised ; 

 wings reach beyond abdomen ; length |th of an inch. 



This is a well-known and widely diffused species, being found 

 throughout India. It makes its nest in holes in branches of 

 trees, runs with its abdomen turned upwards almost over its 

 head, especially when excited, and feeds on honey and other 

 vegetable secretions. Occasionally they appear to join their nest 

 among the roots of moss, orchidese, and various epiphytic plants ; 

 at least this is the case in Malabar, and I cannot detect any 

 marked difference of species, although it is possible that the two 

 races may be distinct. It is very pugnacious, and bites very 

 severely, not appearing to use its sting much. 



19. Myrmica rufa, Jerdon (p. 114). 



Worker, length j^^y ths of an inch, head shorter proportionally, 

 and eyes larger ; thoracic spines longer, straighter ; first abdo- 



