124 



A Catalogue of the Species of Ants [No. 39, 



39. Formica Velox, N. S. 



Worker, length 5-24th inch to G-24th head long, oblong ; eyes 

 posterior, large ; jaws strongly toothed ; antennae long ; thorax 

 smooth ; abdominal pedicle raised, somewhat rounded, wide above; 

 abdomen with the divisions of the segments strongly marked ; legs 

 long, colour dull blackish, with the abdomen greenish pubescent. 



This Ant is very common in Malabar and I think is also found 

 in the Carnatic. It frequents flowers, especially delighting in those 

 that have great quantities of pollen, such as the Cucurbitaceae, 

 Hibisci, &cc. It runs very speedily, and is very easily alarmed, 

 dropping to the ground on being touched. I have not succeeded in 

 finding its nest. 



40. Formica Rufo-glauca, N. S. 



Worker, 7-24th inch long, head long, oblong ; eyes large, pos- 

 terior ; jaws strongly toothed ; thorax not grooved ; abdominal pe- 

 dicle raised, conic, wide above ; abdomen fine silky glaucous green ; 

 head, thorax and legs bright rufous. 



Warrior, 9-24th inch long, head large ; eyes much smaller ; an- 

 tennae shorter ; abdominal pedicle flattened posteriorly ; abdomen 

 short and triangular ; colour similar. 



I have found this Ant only in the Carnatic in small societies liv- 

 ing in holes in the ground. 



It is possible that this may turn out to be Fabricius species 

 Cinerascens. 



41. Formica Vagans, N. S. 



Worker, 3-24th inch long, eyes large, medial ; antennae long ; 

 abdominal pedicle raised rounded ; legs very long. 



Female, 3-12th inch long; the thorax shorter and wider, and 

 abdomen very large, wings reaching beyond the abdomen. 

 • This little Ant is exceedingly common in the Carnatic, but I 

 have not yet seen it on the Malabar Coast. It takes up its quarters 

 in any sheltered spot in a house, under a box, a stone, a hole in the 

 wall, or such like places, and when disturbed flits with great speed 

 to another suitable spot. Its society is very numerous in indivi- 

 duals and there are many females and males, sometimes with, at 



