Notes on Indian Ants, 
203 
and thougli the ranges may overlap^ and both species be 
found in force in one spot, as in Madras, yet on the 
whole they are fairly distinct, one species becoming less 
in evidence as the other comes to the front. I do not 
consider Bombay as exactly a typical locality for Solen- 
opsisj and agree with Mr. Wroughton's suggestion that 
she has possibly been imported. 
It was in Madras that I found M. salomonis turned to 
a practical use, and it is the first instance in my experi- 
ence of ants being employed for commercial purposes. 
In the godowns of a large paper merchant — one 
V. Perumall Chetty — I was struck by the way the bales 
were stowed close to the ground, and enquired if they 
were not liable to constant danger from white ants. I 
spoke feeliugly, for I have had painful experience of what 
can be done in this way in a Calcutta godown, and have 
seen, from the carelessness of a godown sircar, a line of 
thirty bales riddled in a couple of days. The reply to my 
enquiry was, No, I never have any damage done, the 
little red ants come and keep them away, and sugar 
is scattered every morning or evening to ensure their 
regular attendance.'^ I asked Mr. Chetty to collect me 
a bottle after a sugar-scattering, which he kindly did, 
sending me an immense number, the species being M. 
salomonis, 90 per cent., and /S. geminata (armata), 10 per 
cent. (In Madras, salomonis is, I fancy, overpowering 
geminata.) I do not think I should feel disposed to 
discard my godown-horses, tar, and lime, in favour of 
friendly ants ; but were I resident again in Calcutta, I 
should be tempted to see what 8. geminata could do for 
me as an auxiliary precaution, and perhaps the hint may 
be worth the attention of others who have reams of 
paper to safeguard. 
Solenopsis geminata, Fabr., v. armata, Forel. 
Mr. Wroughton speaks of this species as the commonest 
ant in Bombay, and I can strongly endorse the fact ; it 
is still more common in Calcutta and Barrackpore, and 
fairly common in Madras, but if you want to find it in 
overwhelming abundance go to Calicut, where it literally 
swarms. I do not think I have ever found any ant in 
such strong evidence anywhere else. 
In the University Gardens, Bombay, I came across 
