22 JOURNAL^ BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1892 



on, in writing of Sima rufo-ni'gra, of whicli species it is an ' under- 

 study.' On one occasion, with some trouble, I captured a rather 

 peculiar-looking specimen of Camponohis, and, it was only on close 

 examination, I found that my Camponotiis had filiform antennas, over 

 an inch long, and was, in fact, a cricket. This occasion is, however, 

 the only time I have come across this insect, and I scarcely like to 

 claim it as a mimic, on such meagre evidence. Finally, I must note^ 

 that certain black Mantidce, in their earlier stages of development, 

 may easily be mistaken, at first sight, for a Camponotus ? minor. 

 The resemblance is, however, only a general one, the insect retaining 

 the normal shape of a Mantis, so the resemblance may be merely an 

 accidental (!) one. 



Orain, 8^c., harvested. — As may be supposed, the harvesting ants 

 only bring home single grains, consequently, it is very difficult to 

 identify the species harvested. I believe, that all kinds of grass seed 

 are collected by one species, in one place or another. With great 

 trouble, I have been' able to trace the two principal grasses, whose 

 seeds are commonly harvested in the Dekhan, and these. Dr. Lisboa 

 has most kindly identified for me as Tragus racemosus=Sappago aliena 

 (Dalz and Qih&on)^=Sap2Mgo hiflora (Roxb.), and Eku&ine mucrofiata. 

 I have also seen the cultivated 'nachni' or 'nagli' [Eleusine corocana) 

 being carried home. Mr. James Taylor informs me, that he has seen 

 rice also harvested, by ants, in Orissa. The seeds are usually brought 

 into the nest intact, there, they are husked, and the chaff brought out, 

 and strewn round the entrance. Dr. Lisboa suggests that, perhaps, 

 this accumulation of chaff serves as a fortification, for which purpose, 

 as he points out, the ''muricated spikelets of Tragus and the 

 pointed awns of E. mucronata are well adapted," This is very 

 possible for some species of ants, and, Meranoplus hicolor (Guer.) and 

 Trighjphothrix Walshi (Forel), the entrance to whose nests are very 

 narrow, only bring home clean grain. Curiously enough, these same 

 species (or at any rate Meranoplus) harvest a small purple flower, and, 

 in that case, they bring home the whole flower, and strew the petals 

 round the entrance, exactly as Pheidole, and the others, do the chaff af 

 the grass seed. 



Slavery. — I believe our Indian ants are above anything of the 

 sort. I can certainly say I have never been able to find the faintest 



