of some Species of Brazilian Ants. 167 



T found, along the shores of the long sandy bays of the Tapajos, 

 a continuous line of sediment, eight or ten miles in length, formed 

 entirely of the bodies of the winged individuals of this species. 

 It was the end of the rainy season, and the swarms had been 

 carried away by the squalls of wind into the river, and had 

 subsequently been cast ashore by the swell. This species is 

 exclusively found in sandy soils, in open semi-cutivated or neg- 

 lected places: in the shade of the woods not an individual is 

 to be found ; careful cultivation and weeding expels them from 

 limited spaces ; they increase only in the neighbourhood of de- 

 serted houses, or unweeded plantations ; consequently, tliey are 

 a scourge only to the lazy and worthless people who inhabit the 

 shores of this magnificent river. Sometimes they increase to such 

 an extent, that not an inch of ground is free from them ; they 

 dispute every fragment of food with the inhabitants ; clothing tliey 

 destroy for the sake of the starch, and attack persons with such 

 cruel fury, that the lords of the creation are obliged to beat a re- 

 treat and the village becomes deserted. Their sting is very severe, 

 the Brazilians liken it to the pain of a prick from a redhot 

 needle, or point, — hence the name ' Formiga defogo.' Their For- 

 micarium is subterranean, and in the village of Aveyros the un- 

 weeded streets are covered with their mounds : there are one or two 

 on the floor of the church, — it is impossible in fact to avoid an at- 

 tack. The 'Formign defogo' lets no one have any repose ; one's legs 

 are instantly covered with them, and they appear to attack in sheer 

 malice. I was frequently obliged to retreat to the house of the 

 Commandant, where it was my daily custom to enjoy an evening 

 chat with the priest and a few neighbours, seated on chairs, with 

 stools to support the feet, the ground being in full possession of 

 the spiteful" " Mymlca scevissima." 



Appendix. 

 Since the foregoing paper was read to the Entomological Society, 

 I have obtained a new species of the genus Pseudomyrma, which is 

 of great interest, not only in exhibiting a very remarkable form, 

 but also in throwing a light upon the liistory of the genus, which 

 observation alone could furnish us with. For this I am indebted 

 to the untiring industry of my friend Mr. W. H. Bates in observ- 

 ing the habits of these interesting insects. All the sexes were taken 

 from the nest, formed in narrow, hollowed pith chambers in dried 

 twigs ; the sting of this species is very faint ; the pupae do not 

 spin cocoons. 



