CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 199 



702. Social ants (Formicites). Larva an inactive, 

 obese, voracious maggot, residing entirely in the 

 earth, and dependant for food on the care of the 

 perfect insects. Pupa changes in a tough leathery 

 cocoon ; these cocoons are commonly known as 

 " ants' eggs." Imago with the antennae com- 

 posed of about thirteen joints, often elbowed, 

 slightly incrassated exteriorly ; mandibles some- 

 what triangular, toothed ; maxillae obtuse ; labium 

 short, obtuse, its ligula not produced ; maxillary 

 and labial feelers fully developed and distinctly 

 articulate ; fore wings ample ; hind wings small ; 

 lives underground in immense societies, consisting 

 of three kinds of individuals, males, females, and 

 abortive females. Formica, Myrmica. 



703. Solitary ants (Mutillites). Larva and 

 pupa unknown. Imago with antennae composed 

 of about thirteen joints, not elbowed, rather at- 

 tenuated exteriorly ; mandibles long, dentate at 

 the apex ; maxillae obtuse ; labium short, obtuse, 

 its ligula not produced ; maxillary and labial 

 feelers fully developed and distinctly articulate ; 

 ocelli indistinct or wanting ; wings possessed by 

 the males only ; females usually with the pro-, 

 meso-, and metathorax equally developed ; abor- 

 tive females none. Inhabits sandy situations, is 

 solitary. Mutilla, Myrmosa, Methoca. 



704. Scholiites (Scholiites). Larva an elongate 

 inactive maggot ; inhabits a burrow or hole made 

 in the sand by its parent, and feeds on the larvae 



