1852.] 



found in Southern India. 



Gen. Atta. 



I possess 6 species of Ants, all of small size, which appear to be- 

 long to this genus, having a sting, two knots in the first sigment of 

 the abdomen, antennae not concealed in a cleft, thorax without 

 spines, and short palpi. 



1. Atta Minuta, N. S. 



Worker barely l-!2th of an inch long, head oblong, eyes minute, 

 advanced ; thorax narrow ; abdominal pedicles long, narrow, the 

 first much more raised than the 2d ; antennse gradually thickening 

 of a rufous colour, with the abdomen somewhat darker or fuscous. 

 Female about J_d of an inch long^ similar in form to the Worker, 

 abdomen larger proportionally, and head smaller. 



This minute species makes a temporary nest in various situations, 

 in an empty box, between the back of a book and its leaves, even 

 among the loose pages of a book, in an empty shell, &c. &c. No- 

 thing is used in its construction, a shelter from the light merely 

 being sought for. It is perhaps not very numerous in individuals, 

 one wingless female is generally found in the nest. It is very com- 

 mon in the Carnatic and most of India, but I have not seen it in 

 Malabar. It appears to prefer dead animal matter to saccharine or 

 vegetable products. 



2. Atta Destructor, N. S. 



Worker about 5-48th of an inch long, head oblong, not so long 

 in proportion as in the last; eyes small, more medial than in the 

 last, antennse short ; thorax narrow, slightly grooved, abdominal 

 pedicles long, narrow, first higher than the second, abdomen oval ; 

 colour rufous, abdomen glossy brown, I have not seen the female. 

 They live in holes in the ground, or in walls, &c, and are very 

 numerous in individuals. They prefer animal to vegetable sub- 

 stances, destroying dead insects, bird skins, &c. &c, but also feed 

 greedily on sugar. They are common in all parts of India, and often 

 prove very troublesome and destructive to the Naturalist. 



3. Atta Domicola, N. S. 



Worker about l-6th of an inch long ; head oblong, eyes moderate 

 size, medial; antennse rather long, jaws strongly 4 toothed, thorax 



YOL, XVII, NO, XXXIX, 0 



