A Monograph of the Formicidae of South Africa. 425 



$ . 5 - 7 Him. Head reticulate-punctate on the vertex and between 

 the ocelli. Mayrian furrows more clearly defined, the dorsum of the 

 epinotum much shorter and more oblique than in the type-species ; 

 the epinotum is also excavated between the lateral tubercles, which 

 are broader and less prominent. The nodes of the petiole are a little 

 wider. Otherwise like the type of the species. 



S. Rhodesia, common ; often a nuisance in houses, infesting pantries 

 and provision cupboards. (S.A.M., R.M., G-.A. colls.) 



Pheidole inquilina, Forel. 

 Bull. Soc. Vaud. Sc. Nat., vol. 50, p. 240, 1914. 



This form was described doubtfully by Forel as a distinct species, 

 possibly of inquiline habits. I have recently dissected the abdomen 

 of a specimen and found that it contained a parasitic worm, coiled up 

 and occupying the greater part of the abdominal cavity. This proves 

 that these peculiarly shaped forms are only £' ^ or "2/ % whose 

 structure has been modified by the presence of the parasite in the 

 abdomen, and are therefore to be included in the category of " mermi- 

 theryates" The appearance of the gaster with its contained parasite 

 is precisely like that of Pheidole commutata, mermithergate, figured 

 by Wheeler in his ' Ants,' p. 421. 



I have found these abnormal forms at Hillside, Bulawayo, in two 

 nests of P. punctulata var. atrox. The abdomen in these specimens 

 is enormously swollen, having a much greater volume than the head 

 and thorax taken together. The head is much narrower and smaller 

 than in the % , having mainly the structure of the $ head, but dull 

 and coarsely sculptured. The thorax resembles that of the 1/ , the 

 petiole that of the $ . A little longer than the 11, 4 - 5 mm. 



P. rotundata, Forel. 

 Mitth. Schweiz. Ent. G-es., vol. 9, p. 92, £ , % , 1894. 



7/. 5 - 8-6"2 mm. Head 23 mm. long x 2 mm. wide. Colour, 

 pilosity and pubescence as in punctulata, but the mandibular teeth, 

 sides of epinotum, petiole and abdomen a little darker. The abdomen 

 almost piceous, with the base of the first and apical margins of all 

 the segments paler. 



Sculpture stronger than in puncttdata, and the striae between the 

 frontal carinae more numerous. The shape of the head is similar to 

 that of punctulata, but higher and more dome-shaped, and sloping 



