264 Insects, 



appeared to be in contemplation, for the bank near the nests swarmed 

 with the larger neuters or warriors, running about in all directions, 

 and assuming at intervals the most menacing attitudes. I watched 

 them about an hour; when the sun was beginning to shine pretty hot- 

 ly on the bank, they all retreated to the nest ; as a general rule very 

 few are abroad during the heat of the day. I visited them again in I 

 the evening when the sun was leaving the bank, and observed the 

 same grand muster as in the morning ; after this they began to depart, 

 and, following the course taken by the body of the army, composed 

 entirely of the larger neuters, I soon found that their purpose was to 

 pillage. At the distance of about ten yards from their habitation was 

 a nest of the Formica flava, and nearly joining it another of Formica 

 nigra ; into both of these the marauders entered, without the slightest 

 opposition on the part of the rightful inhabitants, and quickly reap- 

 peared, each carrying either a pupa or a neuter insect, generally the 

 foimer : on going back to their own nest, I found the laden ants ar- 

 riving from all quarters with their unresisting captives. In the nest 

 of F. sanguinea I found neuters of both the captured species, — nigra 

 and flava, — principally the former ; these indeed are very numerous, 

 and when the nest is disturbed are exceedingly active in carrying the 

 pupae off to the lower cells. If I visited the spot, either in the heat 

 of the day, or at any time when they were all in the nest, and struck 

 the bank a sharp blow or two with a stick, out rushed the large neu- 

 ters or warriors alone to the defence, and it was amusing to see the 

 grotesque and ferocious attitudes which they assumed. Nearly all 

 the males and females had taken their departure, and the nests 

 swarmed with eggs and larvae of neuters, and the captive ants were 

 doubtless intended as nurses to the young brood. 



Miscus campestris. This insect is found in company with Ammo- 

 phila sabulosa, and is equally abundant, and undoubtedly a distinct 

 insect. The females of Miscus are never so large as those of A. sa- 

 bulosa. Miscus also provisions its nest with caterpillars. 



Elampus Panzeri, I took this insect by beating the shrubs when 

 the sun was obscured by a cloud ; they then settle on the leaves, but 

 fly very rapidly in the sunshine. I beat six specimens off" a small 

 dead twig, on which they had settled ; they sparkled like jewels. 



Epipone Iwvipes. I had the good fortune to add this insect to our 

 British Fauna, and Mr. Shuckard described it from my notes in Lou- 



