1926 ] 
Some New Neotropical Ants 
107 
In writing the description, a cleared specimen has been used 
to make out the outlines, which in parts are concealed by plates of 
thin semi-transparent chitin, the development of which is ex- 
treme in this species. This is not unlike yellowish mica with 
reticulate lines through it, and not only margins the clypeus, 
scrobes, occipital border of head and anterior border of pronotum, 
but occurs as high thin plates on the epinotal margins and the 
dorsal and ventral surface of petiole at middle and is acutally 
spread over the surface in places, especially on the clypeus and 
front of head (except the median portion of vertex). 
These plates are chitinous in nature, as are the spongiform 
processes, and Dr. N. E. Mclndoo, who kindly examined some 
specimens for me, writes as follows: 
“In regard to the nature of the spongy material on the 
peduncle and other parts of a new species of ant from Bolivia, I 
believe that it is chitinous, and not a waxy secretion, for the fol- 
lowing reasons. When an alcoholic peduncle had been cleared in 
xylene and mounted in balsam, and then observed under an oil- 
immersion lens, the porous or spongy material had the same shade 
of light yellow as that of the hairs and other chitinous parts; 
and the external wall of this material was continuous with the 
external wall of the chitinous integument. After the same pe- 
duncle had been treated with cold caustic potash for 18 hours, 
the spongy material was not destroyed. This is a sure test for 
the presence of chitinous structures. Considering the above and 
also that no pores are visible in the integument of this peduncle, 
it would appear that this material is formed when the hairs and 
chitinous integument are formed, and not at a later time.” 
