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Elementary Manual of Zoology. 
after by the workers and are said to be fed with food elaborated in the 
stomachs of the latter. The food usually consists of animal matter, 
sugar, honey, or seeds. The seeds are believed in some cases to be 
converted toa great extent into sugary matter by fermentation before 
being eaten. The pupz are enclosed in lif€le silken cocoons (usually 
known as ants’eges). Both larve and pupe are often carried about 
by the workers from one nest to another, so as to secure for them the 
proper amount of warmth and moisture, The winged males and 
females fly out from the nest, generally after rain. When fertilised, 
the female drops her wings and returns to the old nest or starts a fresh 
one for herself and begius egg-laying. The female may live through 
several seasons, but the male dies off rapidly. 
The most important sub-families of Indian ants are:—(a) the 
Formicides, with but one knot in the peduncle, and abdomen not 
furnished with a sting ; and (0) the Myrmicides,' with two well-marked 
knots in the peduncle, the abdomen being usually furnished with a 
sting. Amongst the Yormicides the students should notice—(1) the 
large fierce bamboo ant (@cophylla smaragdina, Fabr.), with yellow 
workers and green males and females, It is plentiful in Dehra, so 
specimens can usually be found in large numbers for examination. It 
builds its nest in trees by joining leaves together, and feeds largely on 
caterpillars. The worker is mimicked in the most wonderful manner by 
alittle jumping spider. The spider is said to feed on bigger and more 
active insects than the ants, and to utilise its resemblance to the ants 
to approach within springing distance of its prey. (2) The large black 
ant (Camponotus) also common in the school compound. This 
insect forms its nest in the earth and frequently attacks other 
ants. It isto be found in attendance upon Aphide, Lyexnide 
caterpillars, and upon the curious little Homopterous insect (Centrotus), 
which are all believed to yield it certain sweet secretions. Its relations 
with some of the Lycenide caterpillars are most complicated. 
Amongst the Myrmicides the students should notice—(1) the large 
fierce insectivorous ant (Sima rufo-nigra, Jerdon), with red thorax and 
black head and abdomen. It is to be seen upon almost every tree 
trunk in the school compound, but must be handled with care as it 
possesses a most virulentsting. It forms its nest in dead-wood. It 
is mimicked in the most wonderful manner by a little red and 
black spider, specimens of which are preserved in the Museum. 
(2) Solenopsis gemminatus, Fabr. This is the common red ant 
1 The remaining sub-families are :— (a) Ponerides with one well-marked knot in the 
peduncle followed by a second imperfectly marked knot, the abdomen with sting; and 
(2) the Dorylides, an altogether anomalous group, which may be easily recognised by the 
large yellow-winged males and curious little Hattened yellow workers, the females being 
unknown, 
