A Monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. 119* 



sion continuous with the posterior margin of the clypeus. Mandibles 

 curved strongly inwards, half as long as the head, narrowing towards 

 the apex, which is acute ; the inner margin is feebly convex in the 

 middle, and concave on each side of that point. Antennae 11-jointed,, 

 scape as long as the flagellum less the apical joint ; the latter is> 

 longer than wide, and as long as the two preceding joints together ;, 

 the 1st joint as wide as long, the rest wider than long. Pronotum 

 wider than long, about as wide as the head between the posterior- 

 angles, the sides convex, the anterior portion somewhat produced to' 

 form a neck, the pro-mesonotal suture well defined. Mesonotum 

 as long as wide, separated from tbe epinotum by a metanotal region 

 which is one-sixth as long as the mesonotum. The impression 

 between the meso- and metanotum is deeper and more distinct at 

 tbe sides. The lateral margin of the thorax, between the meta- and 

 epinotum is distinctly excised. The epinotum is nearly twice as 

 wide as long, on each side posteriorly just above the very short 

 declivous portion there is a pronounced angle ; the margin between 

 these angles is roundly produced in the middle. Seen from above, 

 the anterior margin of the petiole is shallowly concave in the middle. 

 The petiole widens behind, and the posterior angles are produced 

 backwards and somewhat outwards into sub-acute teeth ; the pos- 

 terior margin is convex. The petiole is rather flattened above, and 

 twice as wide (across the base of the teeth) as it is long. 



The lst-4th abdominal segments are wider at the apical margin 

 than at the base, and considerably wider than long. The 5th seg- 

 ment is widest at the base and narrows towards the apical margin, 

 which ends in two short sub-acute teeth, separated by a semicircular 

 excision. 



The hypopygium is bifurcate along its apical third, the excision 

 between the branches of the fork being narrow and wider at the 

 base. At the base of the hypopygium the external margins are 

 curved upwards on each side so as to form a flap, which is pro- 

 longed on its upper margin into a compressed tooth-like process, 

 rounded at the apex and directed backwards. Internal to the flaps, 

 and at about two-thirds of the distance from the external margins, 

 there is on each side a longitudinal raised ridge, which ends abruptly 

 a little before the base of the apical forks. 



The apical joint of all the tarsi is wanting in both specimens. 



This species has been recorded from the larger part of the South 

 African region. In S. Ehodesia it is common, and more frequently 

 met with than any other species of the genus. (S.A.M., E.M., 

 G.A. colls.) 



