INSECT ODDITIES. 255 
are briefly chronicled in the Proceedings of the Entomological Society for the 
year 1894. 
The strength and tenacity of jaw manifested by the North Queensland Green 
Ants in the architecture of their nests is also displayed by them in the capture of 
living prey. The writer frequently observed instances in which an unfortunate beetle, 
or other insect, had fallen a victim to their hunting expeditions. It was in such case 
pinioned fast to the ground by a radiating circle of its merciless captors, every limb 
being dragged out to its fullest extension. Secured in this helpless position the poor 
insect was then speedily dismembered and transported piece-meal to the Green 
Ants’ larder. 
A singular little winged insect, apparently of the Hymenopterous order, was 
observed hovering over and occasionally lighting upon one of the Green Ants’ nests 
under observation. As shown in the enlarged drawing of it, given in fig. 4 of Chromo- 
Plate IX.—the natural size being indicated by the cross lines in its vicinity— 
the most remarkable features of this fly were the gouty-like enlargement of the 
central joints of the hind limbs and the somewhat coincident abnormal dimensions of 
the last abdominal segment. While hovering, both these weighted limbs and the 
abdomen hung perpendicularly to the otherwise horizontal plane of the little creature’s 
body. From the special attention that this fly concentrated upon the Green Ants’ 
nest, it would appear probable that it was in some way related either as a 
commensal or a parasite with the hymenopterous community. 
An exceedingly interesting account of the practical utility to which the 
gripping powers possessed by certain of the larger species of Ants may be applied 
was contained in a paper contributed by Mr. R. Middleton, to the Meeting of the 
Linnean Society for February 6th, 1896. According to a communication received by 
that gentleman from Mr. Miltiades Issigonis, of Smyrna, extensive use is made by the 
Greek Barber Surgeons of the Levant of a large species of ant for the purpose of 
holding together the edges of incised wounds. The ant, held with a pair of 
forceps, opens its mandibles wide and is then permitted to seize the edges of the cut 
which are held together for this purpose. As soon as a firm grip is established the 
ant’s head is severed from the body and remains tenaciously holding the cut edges of 
the wound in the position most favourable for its speedy healing. Mr. Issigonis had 
seen several natives with wounds in course of healing to which seven or eight 
such decapitated ants’ heads were attached. There can be no doubt that Australia 
from among her larger “ Bull-dog” and “ Inchmen” races could furnish a phenomenally 
