OUR ANTS. 193 



I interfered and with forceps seized one of them by the leg, it im- 

 mediately discharged, with an appreciably audible report, a puff of 

 yellow dust. The beetles have been identified by Herr Wasmann, 

 S. J., of Vienna, as belonging to the genus Paussus, of which species 

 have also been found domesticated in ants' nests in Europe and 

 elsewhere. 



168. Ph. sykesi (Forel MS.). 



Poona Districts (10-6-90, $ ) 



Thana Districts F. Gleadow. 



A large species. P. sykesi throws up concentric embankments round 

 the entrance to the nest ; the extent of these earthworks varies 

 according to circumstances, from a mere single tube, less than an inch 

 high in flat dry country, to half-a-dozen concentric rings, the centre 

 tube 3 inches and more high, each ring decreasing in height, and 

 the outside ring 18 inches in diameter. Moreover, when the nest is 

 on a slope, the u^-hill half of a ring is always considerably higher than 

 the other. P. wroughtoni and P. latinoda also build these earthworks, 

 but they are always rudimentary compared with those of P. sykesi. 



1 69. Ph. naoroji (Forel MS. ) . 

 Poona Districts. 



I have already described one meeting with this species in my 

 notice of Monomorum mayri. I have also taken it nesting in a hole 

 in a tree stem. 



170. Ph. lamellinoda-naoroji (Forel MS.). 

 Poona Districts. 



This is a transition form, and further examination must decide 

 whether it shall be absorbed as a variety into one or other of the 

 closely related species, or whether it shall stand, perhaps even 

 receiving a specific name of its own. 



171. Ph. lamellinoda (Forel MS.). 

 Poona Districts. 



This is a very well marked, yellow species, characterized by the 

 peculiarly developed lamellar process beneath the pedicle. It is a 

 rare species and rather sluggish. 



172. Ph. spathifera (Forel MS.). 



Coonoor, Madras R. W. Daly (3.). 



Travancore H. S. Ferguson (a variety, 3.)« 



