03 



F. flava (Fabr). This species establishes its nest 



at the sides of roads, in fields, raising a small mound 



by its labours. It is about ^ of an inch in length, 



-B or about the same size as the two species preceding. 



Myrmica, the second genus, has two " knots " 

 in the peduncle of the abdomen, while Formica has 

 only one. These genera can be easily distinguished 

 by this difference, which is shown in fig. 25. M. 

 incompleta, (Provancher). A species about \ of an 

 inch long, bright reel and black. Very common 

 under stones, particularly in sandy localities. Per- 

 haps this is the dimidiata of Say. M. tuberum, 

 (Fabr). Light red and dull black in colour, and about 

 i of an inch long. A rare species (in the Province 



{ ^ h t^t^tAt^^ll s ^W. k Q aebe ?>» found undei> the bark of trees - 



2. Tibia of F. flava, showing enlarged trar 

 ■aiiea (S S), return tube (R) (From Lubbock). 



M. molesta, (Say). A very small ant, only t> 3 - of an inch long, and pale yellow. This is 

 the ant sometimes so troublesome in houses. It hides in the crevices of the plastering, 

 etc., in the daytime, and at night swarms in the cupboards or wherever food is left. JVL 

 Provancher says he has never met with it, except in houses, which leads him to believe 

 that it is not indigenous, at least in the Province of Quebec. i 



The ants of the genus Formica do not sting, while those of Myrmica, both females 

 and workers, are furnished with that weapon. All, however, can use their mandibles for 

 biting purposes. 



A curious practice of the habitans in the Province of Quebec is mentioned by M. 

 Provancher in the 'Katurcdiste Canadien. He states that in felling trees, particularly 

 in winter, the woodcutters often find numbers of the benumbed ants in the cavities of 

 the bark, which they eat as delicacies. " We, ourselves," he says, " have seen ants eaten 

 with avidity. Passing through Somerset in November, 1876, we remarked several chil- 

 dren digging among the roots of an old stump. We approached them, and found that 

 they were picking out ants from the bark of the roots and eating them, disputing as to 

 who should have the largest share. It was our black ant, Formica Pennsylvanica." 



SAW-FLIES. 



(Tenihredinidce. ) 



BY W. HAGUE HARRINGTON, OTTAWA. 



The insects to be briefly described in this paper belong to the division known to 

 entomologists as the Hymenoptera, which order contains all forms having four transpar- 

 ent, membraneous wings. To give a clear conception of the appearance of typical 

 hymenoptera to those unfamiliar with the different orders of insects, it will only be 

 necessary to mention the honey-bee. The habits of this familiar insect have been more 

 frequently and more fully investigated than those of any other, and it is endeared to us 

 all by the sweet spoils which it gathers ; its remarkable industry in harvesting the dainty 



Note.— In compiling this paper, I have drawn material from the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Chambers' 

 Encyclopaedia, "Nature, Science Gossip ; Huber's " Fourmis Indigenes "; Provancher's "Naturaliste Cana- 

 and particularly from Lubbock's work. "Ants, Bees and Wasps, 1882." 



An exceedingly interesting paper on Ants, by Rev. C. J. S. Bethune, is contained in the Annual 

 Report for 1880. In it will be found much information on the subject, not contained in the present paper, 

 including full directions for getting rid of them when they infest houses. It may be added that Mr. 

 Bethune, owing to his onerous duties as Principal of the Trinity College School, Port Hope, has been com- 

 pelled to relinquish his intention of continuing his papers, on these interesting insects, in the Reports— a 

 result which we feel sure our readers will hear of with great regret. 



