FLORA AND FAUNA 
55 
the coast region Xylocopa cEstuans swarms round the 
blossoms on the bushes. The gregarious wasps sting in 
an irritating manner, the sulphur-coloured Polistes hebrcEa 
is easily recognized by its sluggish flight. The honey 
bee is represented by the dark African variety [Apis 
mellijicay var. fasciatd) and supplies honey and wax to 
the natives. The wax is becoming an article of export. 
The number of ants is very great; they have recently 
been described in an excellent manner by A. Forel. 
The most numerous genus, Camponotus^ has over thirty 
species in Madagascar. Two species of leaping ants, 
Odondoniachus hcBmaiodes and AnochcEtus africanus^ are 
found in the trunks of dead screw-pines; these are able 
to make a spring of from four to five inches by alter¬ 
nately extending their jaws and rapidly bringing them 
together. The v^izigdi [Cremastogaster Ranavalonis Forel) 
has a bad name for ferocity among the natives. It con- 
