A.
The following are the species of ants which I have observed on the Riviera, and principally at Mentone; the actual locality where my notes were taken being given in every case.
Family Formicidæ.[1]
Tribe Formicineæ.—Petiole (or stalk which unites the thorax and the abdomen) of one joint, and furnished with a single vertical scale, abdomen not contracted.
(1) Formica fusca, Linn.—A rather large ant (3-1/2 to 4-1/2 lines long), of a blackish ash colour, with a satiny sheen on the upper half of the abdomen. Smells of formic acid when crushed. Lives upon sweet secretions and animal matter, and occasionally carries a very few seeds into its nest, which is made in the ground. (Mentone.)
(2) F. emarginata, Latr.—Of medium size (2-1/2 lines), brownish, with yellow thorax. Has a strong smell of honey when crushed. Lives principally upon sweet secretions, but occasionally carries a very few seeds also. Nest in the ground. (Mentone.)
(3) F. (Camponotus) cruentata, Lat.—Large (5 to 6 lines), dusky brown, with orange red on legs and abdomen. Strong smell of formic acid. Lives on sweet secretions and animal
- ↑ Ants have been divided into three tribes, the two first of which, Formicineæ and Ponerineæ, are distinguished by the latter having a contraction in the abdomen not found in the former, and both are separated from the third tribe, Myrmicineæ by having but a single scale on the petiole, while in Myrmicineæ there are always two nodes or protuberances on the petiole. It is important to remember the difference between the first and the last named tribes, as we shall find that all the true harvesters belong to Myrmicineæ. I have not seen any of the representatives of the second tribe in the south.
