Yapp . — Two Malayan ‘ Myrmecophilous' Ferns . 217 
while a centipede ( Mecistocephalus punctifrons , Haase) and 
two small specimens of some lepidopterous larva 1 were found 
in P. car no sum. Moreover, the roots of an epiphytic orchid, 
growing on the massive stem of this Fern, had in some cases 
penetrated to the interior of the galleries. 
Nothing, so far as I am aware, is known of the special 
enemies of these two Ferns, or whether indeed they have any, 
and consequently it is impossible to state anything definite 
respecting the protection afforded them by the ants. It is 
true that on attempting to remove a plant of P. carnosum 
from the tree on which it grew, great numbers of its tiny 
inhabitants sallied forth and attacked the intruder with great 
pugnacity ; but this proves nothing, as the case would be an 
exceptional one. 
Unfortunately I was unable to procure any young plants 
of either species, and so could not investigate the origin of 
the first-formed gallery. From analogy with the case of 
Myrmecodia 2 , however, it would seem probable that the 
presence of ants is unnecessary for its formation. 
' On the whole, although the possibility of the existence of 
a true adaptation between the ants and these Ferns cannot 
be denied, yet such evidence as is available seems to point 
to Goebel’s 3 view being the correct one, i. e. that the ants 
are merely ‘ Raumparasiten ’ or dwellers in cavities formed 
without reference to their future inhabitants ; and this more 
particularly so, as no attractions in the form of food appear 
to be offered to the ants. 
It seems to me most probable that the large-celled tissue 
and it seems scarcely likely that cockroaches would live in them. This solitary 
egg-capsule may very well have been carried in by the ants. 
1 Dr. Sharp concludes, from the absence of colour and other markings, and the 
presence of only simple hairs on the bodies of these larvae, that the dark recesses 
of the stem of this Fern form their natural habitat. Larvae, such as Zeuzera or 
Hipialus , which live in dark confined places, usually have these characteristics. 
Meyrick (’95), p. 782, instances the case of a moth ( Myrmecozela ochraceella , Tgst., 
one of the Tineidae) whose larva lives in ants’ nests ( Formica rufci ), both in 
England and on the Continent, though he states that this appears to be unique 
amongst known Lepidoptera. 
2 Treub (’83), p. 154. 3 Goebel (’88), p. 21. 
Q 
