114 



A Catalogue of the Species of Ants 



[No. 39, 



runs with its abdomen turned upwards almost over its head espe- 

 cially when excited, and feeds on honey and other vegetable secre- 

 tions. Occasionally they appear to join their nest among the roots 

 of Moss, Orchideue, and various Epiphytic plants, at least this is the 

 case in Malabar, and I cannot detect any marked difference of spe- 

 cies, although it is possible that the two races may be distinct. 

 It is very pugnacious, and bites very severely, not appearing to 

 use its sting much. 



19. Mtrmica Rufa. 



Worker, length 9-48th of an inch, head shorter, proportionally, 

 and eyes larger ; thoracic spines longer, straighter ; 1st abdominal 

 pedicle longer and less raised than in the last ; entirely of a rufous 

 colour. This is a very closely allied species and is found in the 

 same localities as the last. Had I found it in a different tract of 

 country I would have perhaps considered it as a climatal variety, 

 but its large size, and the few points enumerated above lead me to 

 view it as distinct. Its habits are similar. 



20. Myrmica Kirbzii Sykes r 



I regret that I have mislaid my copy of the Entomological 

 Transactions in which this Ant and several others were described, 

 but the similarity of the nest and its general description led me to 

 conclude that the species procured by me is identical with Colonel 

 Sykes' one. 



Is very closely allied to the two last, has its thorax larger, rough, 

 and much ridged ; its thoracic spines larger ; first abdominal pedicle 

 somewhat diamond shaped, second heart shaped ; the abdomen 

 strongly ridged longitudinally ; head thorax and legs dark marroon ; 

 abdomen dark brown. Length 7-48th of an inch. 



I have found this species chiefly in the elevated forests of the 

 Wynaad. I cannot say that I have met it below the ghauts. It 

 forms a considerable nest of some papyraceous materials, usually 

 of an oval form, and placed round a small branch which supports 

 it. It is very numerous in individuals, countless swarms issuing 

 from it on being disturbed and boldly attacking the assailant both 

 with teeth and sting. It feeds on honey of flowers and other 

 vegetable secretions. 



