1 82 Cr YPTOCERus. INSECTS. Eciton. 
other disagreeable guests. Having accomplished their 
least the base of these organs, concealed under the pro- 
work, which it seems they disperse to do, they again 
jections of the head. Hence the name Cryptocerus — 
form themselves into a long train, and move onwards. 
see fig. 55. 
Tschudi, who had ample means of observation, speaks 
of the united forces of these creatures as being vast. 
Fig. 55. 
and he says there is no approach to the fabulous when 
he mentions, that not only snakes, but rather large 
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mammalia, such as Agoutis, &c., on being surprised by 
them, are soon killed. 
Ants of various species and of various genera 
f 
abound in the forests of Borneo. Mr. Adams* calls one 
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the Bombardier, from its habit. When irritated, this 
fellow turns up the end of his body like a Staphylinus, 
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and “ forthwith emits a continuous stream of dense 
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white acid vapour.” This ant is about half an inch long. 
and has a large head and enormous mandibles ; it is of 
VA 
a shining black. The naturalist of H.M.S. Samarang 
Outlines of two species of Ciyptocerus (from Smith). 
mentions another ingenious species indigenous to Borneo, 
which constructs its nest out of a large leaf, “ bending 
The species are generally wood-borers, usually per- 
the two halves by the weight of united millions, till the 
forating the dead trunks of trees. The species have 
opposite margins meet at the under surface of the mid- 
been observed chiefly on low trees and bushes in dry 
rib, where they are secured by a gummy matter.” 
open places, or running on branches of newly-felled 
Into this aerial habitation the stores and grubs are 
trees. They also visit flowers abundantly. Both 
conveyed by regular beaten tracks along the trunk and 
males and females have wings ; the latter only retain 
branches of the tree. Mr. Adams noticed on the 
them for a time. The common species, Cryptocerus 
banks of the Linga, that the trees were covered with 
atratus, constructs its nests in the dead suspended 
black-coloured nests, built by a large red ant. These 
branches of woody climbers. Outside, the observer 
nests were formed of prepared vegetable matter, mixed 
notices a number of neatly-drilled holes; but inside he 
with a tenacious secretion. The ants stung most tor- 
finds that the solid wood is perforated with galleries, 
mentingly. In Borneo, too, Mr. Adams noticed a 
communicating with each other. The insects are omni- 
small shining black ant, which kept to its subterranean 
vorous, and seem to be attracted by the exerement of 
galleries during the day ; but on the approach of night 
birds. In the pupa state they are not inclosed in 
it covered the ground, especially in moist places, with 
cocoons. Each community seems to consist of a single 
its myriad hordes. 
female, and two kinds of workers. In some species 
these latter are totally unlike each other, differing in 
Fig. 51. 
the form of the head and in the armature of the thorax 
a h e 
and nodes of the peduncle. 
r\ A W 
Of the genus Eciton, only the workers are known. 
and in these the eyes are extremely minute. The 
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insects of this genus are very numerous in Brazil, but 
neither male nor female are known. Their societies 
are so numerous, and their sting so severe, that an 
attack upon one of their colonies is not to be rashly 
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undertaken. About twenty species of the genus are 
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known. “ The processions of these insects are of 
common occurrence, and the different colours of the 
/ ] A 
species are very observable when the lines are seen 
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upon the march, some appearing like a liquid stream 
of metal. These ants are regular clearers of all animal 
a, Cryptocerus striatiis. h. Meranoplus singularis. 
matter, living or dead. When on a foraging expedition 
c. Formica solitaria. 
they spread out their columns, climbing over every 
leaf, plant, shrub, and tree, putting the whole animal. 
These three figures are copied from figures by Mr. 
as w'ell as insect world into commotion and alarm ’ 
Smith, and show (fig. 54, a) Cryptocerus striatus (fig. 
should any decaying mass of vegetable matter fall in 
54, b) Meranoplus singularis, with its strange collar, 
their wa}', it is instantly covered with a living crowd ; 
remarkable triangular head, and curious basal joint of 
every chink and cranny are carefully searched, after 
the antennae. Fig. 54, c, shows the Formica solitaria. 
which the army resumes its march. All apterous 
with its immense eyes and ocelli, so that this fine species 
insects, particular!}’- Blattai and spiders (the former 
must be endowed with very considerable powers of 
being exceedingly numerous under fallen leaves, espe- 
sight. What a subject of research are exotic ants alone ! 
cially in their larva state), are preyed upon ; the larvae 
Cryptocerus. — T his is a remarkable genus of ants 
of Lepidoptera and Diptera fall an easy prey, as well 
of very varied form, but all having the antennae, at 
as the species of Formicidae. At other times a com- 
* Voyage of H.M.S. Samarang, vol. i. p. 409. 
munity of Ecitons engage in a regular attack upon 
