Systematic Course. 39 
of the plains of India. It forms its nests, which are very populous, in 
the ground, usnally under stones or bricks. It constructs partially 
covered ways across roads, and is often to be seen carrying off dead 
insects. It has been said tio attack potatoes in the ground, and is likely 
to do some damage in ovurseries, (3) Holcomyrmex scabriceps, Mayr. 
This is a largish ant, with reddish head and darkabdomen. It forms 
its nests in the ground, and stores up grass and other seeds. Quite a 
large heap of chaff is often to be found outside the nest. The granary 
inside is sometimes as big as a walnut. According to Walsh’s observa- 
tions, the object in storing is likely to be, not so much to provide food 
for future use, for the ant is nearly torpid all through the hot season, 
as to allow fermentation to set in, thus converting the starch into 
sugar. The seed does not germinate in the granary, though it 
germinates freely outside, To prevent germination the ants not only 
take great pains to keep the seed dry, but are believed to bite off the 
radicle, (4) A species of Cremastogaster—a genus which may always 
be recognised by the curious pointed abdomen—has been reported 
as a great nuisance in Ceylon, as it builds large nests, sometimes 
more than two feetin diameter, in coffee and cinchona bushes, and 
bites so sharply that it 1s difficult for coolies to work anywhere in the 
immediate neighbourhood. Allied species of the same genus are 
common in the school compound. , 
The studen ts should sketch the arrangement of the knots on the 
peduncle which characterises the various sub-families. For this 
purpose specimens of Camponotus and Sima may conveniently be taken 
‘to show the difference between the Formicides and Myrmicides. 
Chrysidida (Cuckoo-wasps)).—These are little metallic-green crea- 
tures with thick armour. They may be recognised by the basal rings 
of the abdomen, which are enlarged so as to enable the posterior 
segments to be retracted within them. The abdomen beneath is 
concave and the insect can roll itself into a ball when disturbed, a 
habit which is often of use as a protection against the Hymenoptera, 
in whose nests it is parasitic. The larve are legless grubs, which 
feed upon the young of other Hymenoptera. 
The Museum contains specimens for examination by the students. 
Apida (Bees).—Bees cau be recognised by their hairy bodies and 
expanded posterior tibiz, which are modified to serve as pollen recept- 
acles, the basal tarsal joint being enlarged to assist. The students 
should sketch the hind leg of a bee to remind them of its peculiar 
structure. Bees feed upon honey and pollen. Their chief importance 
in the forest consists in the fact that they serve very largely to convey 
pollen from flower to flower. Some of the social species are also of 
some slight importance as producers of honey and wax. The family 
may conveniently be divided into (2) social bees, and (5) solitary bees. 
