A Monograph of the Formicidiae of South Africa. 623 



sharply defined, the 4th segment with a small spot on each side. 

 The scutellum and metanotum shining and almost smooth. Head 

 one-fourth longer than wide, the posterior margin almost straight, 

 otherwise formed like that of the § media. The scapes extend beyond 

 the hind margin by one-third of their length. The carina on the 

 clypeus more obtuse than in the § media. Ocelli small. Mesonotum 

 a little longer than wide, with a median impressed line on its convex 

 anterior portion. Scutellum about as wide as long, rounded posteriorly. 

 Dorsum of the epinotum convex from side to side and lengthwise, 

 as long as the subvertical declivity. Anterior face of the scale less 

 convex than in the %. Abdomen elliptical, not quite twice as long 

 as wide. Wings suffused with ochreous yellow, the nervures and 

 stigma yellowish brown. 



cf, 9'4 mm. Head, flagellum, petiole and thorax more or less 

 ochreous, the head somewhat darker or reddish ochreous (raw sienna), 

 the dorsum of the mesonotum and scutellum reddish brown, abdomen 

 brown, the basal segment paler; femora, ochreous, scapes, tibiae 

 and tarsi brownish yellow. Pilosity, pubescence and sculpture as in 

 the 9) but the abdomen is more shining, and the epinotum and 

 petiole are entirely smooth and shining. Head, excluding the mandibles, 

 as long as wide across the eyes, the sides in front of the eyes sub- 

 parallel or slightly convergent anteriorly, the sides behind the eyes 

 convex and forming with the posterior margin a semicircle. Eyes 

 very large and convex, two-fifths as long as the head ; ocelli fairly 

 large. Frontal carinae parallel on the posterior half, not convergent 

 as in the Q. Clypeus raised towards the middle line but hardly 

 carinate, twice as wide as long. Mandibles small, with 3 or 4 obtuse 

 teeth. The scapes extend beyond the hind margin by half their length, 

 all the joints of the flagellum longer than wide and becoming pro- 

 gressively shorter to the penultimate joint. Mesonotum as long as 

 wide, convex in front, flat posteriorly, the parapsidal sutures distinct. 

 Scutellum nearly half as long as the mesonotum, narrower behind 

 than in the Q, its sides vertical. The dorsum and declivity of the 

 epinotum form a continuous and steep curve, their limits not clearly 

 defined but the dorsal portion much the shorter. Scale of petiole 

 low, seen from the side broadiy conical, hardly higher than thick 

 at the base, the dorsal edge rather thick, the anterior face subqua- 

 drate and a little wider below than above. Abdomen lanceolate. 

 Femora compressed. Wings as in the Q. 



Common throughout S. Rhodesia and the greater part of S. Africa. 



This is one of the two common ants, (Pheidole punctulata being the 



