72 
AUSTRALIAN FORMICIDAE 
ti’ace of the earth which had been excavated from below, and 
apparently the soil had been scattered some distance from 
the nest. A few workers, each with its abdomen raised 
upwards, were moving rapidly about. At 3 p.m., with the 
shade temperature at 90° Pahr., a large number of the ants 
was seen leaving the nest and travelling to a series of nest 
holes about twenty-two yards away. The series of nests 
belong to a small dark coloured ant (Iridomyrmex viridi- 
gaster) . On reaching these nests the robbers did not hesitate, 
they went boldly in and apparently got little resistance as 
they soon emerged again each carrying a larva or pupa of the 
Iridomyrmex with which they returned to their own nests. 
Little or no order was maintained during the raids, each ant 
seemed to work independently, but a constant stream kept 
on coming with nothing and returning with larva or pupa. 
Later, at 4 p.m., there was no sign of the robbers near the 
nests which they had been robbing ; apparently the raid had 
ceased. One robber ant was seen carrying an apparently 
injured companion back to their nest. When this ant was 
stopped about one foot away from the nest the injured ant 
was dropped, although able to walk it could not keep up with 
the others. The injured one was picked up again by her 
companion and carried into the nest. 
“At 5 p.m. when again observed, some of the Iridomyrmex 
were attacking the robbers. The method of attack was 
similar in all cases. Several of the Iridomyrmex seized the 
antennae of the robbers whilst others seized the legs. After 
a short struggle the victim was helpless — several dead robbers 
were seen near. The Iridomyrmex not engaged with the 
robber ants were removing their larvae and pupae, taking 
them away in another direction. 
“23 Jan., ’34. The robber ants were seen running about 
but did not appear to be carrying anything. They were 
emerging from two holes about three feet apart. 
“14 Feb., ’34. At 2.30 p.m. with the temperature at 90° 
Fahr. in the shade, a few ants were seen out foraging not far 
from the second entrance to their nest, no sign of any near 
the first entrance. Half an hour later all had disappeared. 
“20 Feb., ’34. At 4 p.m. two ants were hunting near the 
first entrance. One walked into a line of Iridomyrmex 
travelling along not far from the entrance to the robbers’ 
nest. The Iridomyrmex immediately attacked the intruder 
seizing it by the antennae and legs. Other three robbers had 
received a similar fate further along the line. On returning 
to the place at 6.30 p.m. only one robber was seen, there was 
