244 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, ’12 
suitable gallery was found and then all was covered and al- 
lowed to remain thus for at least half an hour. The results 
were not very satisfactory ; the poison had the effect of killing 
some and driving others farther down, and as Mr. Dean has 
found “these galleries and chambers penetrating the earth to 
the distance of nine feet,” it is probable that a much larger 
dose and more thorough application of it would be required to 
make the treatment effectual. 
When aroused the ants are quite warlike and fearless but 
seem to have some special disgust for certain Scarabaeid beetles 
(Onthophagus probably hecate) which were placed on their 
mound at the gallery entrance. The beetles at first resisted 
when attacked and as many as ten ants took part in the expul- 
sion of each beetle; but when the beetle gave up, only two or 
three ants were left to the task of removing the obnoxious visi- 
tors, and finally but one ant, the original ejector, was left on 
the job. The several beetles were removed some ten or twelve 
feet from the cone. 
No insect enemies of this ant were observed. Moreover, on 
a number of occasions the common tiger beetle of the region 
(C. punctulata) was observed to approach one of these ants, 
but, having ascertained what it was, did not molest it. No nests 
were inspected for inquilines; however, in Gove and Greely 
Counties these ants were seen carrying the myrmecophilous 
beetle (Cremastocheilus saucius Lec.). 
Series FOSSORES 
Family SPHECIDAE 
Ammophila sp. 
Much has been written concerning these remarkable wasps, 
which have attracted the attention not only of naturalists but 
also of the casual observer. 
Frequently, if not as a rule, Ammophilas live in colonies, 
though one may sometimes come across one of these wasps 
with her burrow at quite a distance from any colony. Flat, 
sun-baked areas with little or no vegetation are favorable nest- 
ing places for these slender wasps. 
