( 57 ) 



V. Descriptions of new species of the genera Pseuclo- 

 myrma and TetrsLTponera,, belonr/i/zg to the faniilg 

 Myrmicidai. By Frederick Smith. 



[Read 4th April, 1877.] 



Of the first of these genera twenty new species are described, 

 and a list, with references, of those ah-eady known to 

 science ; five new species ai'e added to the nine previously 

 described species of the genus Tetraponera. 



The habits of the ants belonging to these two genera, 

 according to the observations of naturalists, appear to be 

 varied. Some species construct their formicarium in the 

 pith of dead branches of various trees and shrubs; others 

 jierforate the hollow thorns of species of Acacia, and Mr. 

 Bates observed a Bi-azilian species, Pseudomyrma termi- 

 turia, forming its elliptical chambers in the Avails of the 

 tumuli of a species of Termes ; others inhabit the hollow 

 bnllas, formed at the apex of the leaf-stalk of many species 

 of exotic trees. Their colonies are not numerous in 

 individuals, and their pup^e are not enclosed in cocoons. 

 This is the case in the majority of the genera belonging 

 to the family Myrmicida ; but, like most general rules, 

 exceptions are to be met with. Thus we learn that, in the 

 species of the genus Myrmecia, all the sexes are inclosed ; 

 and it may be observed, that even in other genera of ants, 

 Formica for instance, although as a rule all the larvas 

 S])in themselves up in cocoons, yet, under certain con- 

 ditions of situation or of atmospheric suitability, it is 

 pretty certain that occasionally all the species of Formica 

 found in this country undergo their metamorphoses, 

 ])assing through the pupa state naked. This has been 

 observed at different times, both by myself and by others. 



Note. — The type specimen of such species as are 

 enumerated in the list to Avhich an * is })rc(ixcd, arc in the 

 British Museum. 



TRANS. ENT. SOC. 1877. — PART II. (.JUNE.) P 



