MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 18% 
No. IIL—NOTE ON THE WEB-SPINNING HABITS OF THE 
“RED ANT,’ G@COPHILA SMARAGDINA, 
In 1896 I had the honour to read before the Entomological Society of 
London (Proceedings, Ent, Soc. of London, 1896, p. IX,)) a note on the web- 
spinning habit of the ant Qicophila smaragdina, Fabr., in which I quoted the 
observations of Mr. W. D, Helland of Balangoda, Ceylon, who informed me 
that he had actually seen the parent ants holding their larve in their jaws and 
utilizing them as spinning machines, A similar observation had, I believe, been 
previously recorded from India. I have just now been able to corroborate this. 
supposed fact from my own personal observation, Having found some 
Jeaves newly fastened together by the ants, separated them and set myself 
to watch the proceedings of the occupants. The edges of the leaves. were 
quickly re-drawn together in the usual manner, the ants stretching acress the 
gap and seizing the opposite edge with their jaws. After the two edges had 
been approximated, a row of ants still held them firmly in position and so 
matters remained fora long time without the formation of any web-like 
matter. I should mention that there were no larve amongst the occupants of 
these particular enclosures. After watching for nearly an hour, during 
which time no further progress had been made, I went in to “ tiffin?’ On my 
return, an hour later, I found the spinning process actively progressing, and 
there, sure enough, were the small white grubs being passed backwards and 
forwards across the sutures and gaps in the walls of the shelter, Each 
grub (there were apparently only two of them) was held in the jaws of one 
of the worker ants and its movements directed as required, A continuous. 
thread of silk was proceeding from the mouth of the larva, It is probable 
that only fully grown larve, ready to construct their cocoons, are employed 
for the work. On looking about for the nests from which the web-spinners 
must have been procured, none could be found nearer than the top of an 
adjacent “jack-tree,’ which doubtless accounts for the considerable time 
that elapsed before the rent was repaired. Messengers had to be despatched 
to headquarters for the weaving members of the community. 
E. ERNEST GREEN, 
Govt. Entomologist. 
R. B. GARDENS, PARADENIYA, 
- CryLon ; 25th October, 1899. 
No, IV.—EGG-BLOWING AND ITS DIFFICULTIES, 
. All birds’-egg collectors must on many occasions have experienced the 
vexation, amounting not rarely to actual grief, caused by finding a valued 
clutch of eggs so hard set, as to render blowing difficult, if not impossible ; 
and I think from my own experience the following procedure, which I am 
not aware of anyone but myself having practised, worthy of publication, and 
trial by others. It occurred to me after taking my 5th clutch of Brachypternus 
aurantius, all endeavours to blow the eggs on every occasion having proved 
