834 
on this account much complained of in this vicinity in the spring 
of 1850, being so numerous and active in some fields as to threaten 
to cut off every blade of corn in them. 
The species which accompanies the plant-lice of the cherry 
tree does not appear to have been described hitherto, I therefore 
name it 
The Cherry ant (Myrmica Cerasi ). The neuters are 0.14 long, of a dark brown 
color and slightly translucent, resembling resin; their abdomen is deep black and 
highly polished, egg-shaped and acutely pointed at its apex, its basal segment covered 
with minute punctures of an oval form placed longitudinally, and the remaining seg- 
ments are similarly punctured upon their apical margins; the head, thorax, and 
anterior sides of the legs are also covered with similar punctures, but more fine; the 
jaws are reddish-brown and have four teeih of equal size along their inner edge; the 
antennae are black, their tips brown and clothed with very fine short hairs, the long 
basal joint punctured; the legs are black, their bases and the tips of the shanks pale 
brown, and the last joints of the feet brown; a few gray, hairs are scattered over the 
head and body. 
The abdomen of this ant presents a curious appearance. It is 
flattened upon its upper side and very convex on its under side, 
thus looking as though it was attached to the thorax in an inverted 
position. This, however, adapts it to the direction in whieh it is 
frequently used—this ant being accustomed to throw its abdomen 
upward over its head and back, thus presenting its sting to any¬ 
thing which molests it in front. The venom of its sting has a 
peculiar pungent smell which remains upon the fingers when they 
cru'h one of these insects. This venom is ejected copiously and 
may frequently be seen forming a small clear drop at the end of 
the sting. And being thus armed these small ants are able to 
defend themselves against other insects far superior to them in 
size. It is wonderful to witness this ant conquer the large New- 
York ant and rob him of his flock of aphides. This may be wit¬ 
nessed by placing two or three of the cherry ants in a vial and 
introducing into it a leaf of poplar or apple-lice with one of the 
New-York ants attending them. No sooner does one of these 
small ants approach, than, jealous of the intrusion, he seizes it by 
its thorax in his powerful jaws, but is instantly informed of the 
fact that it carries a sting in its tail and knows how to use it. He 
is as prompt to drop his intended victim as he had been to seize 
