Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/292

264 appeared to be in contemplation, for the bank near the nests swarmed with the larger neuters or warriors, running about in all directions, and assuming at intervals the most menacing attitudes. I watched them about an hour; when the sun was beginning to shine pretty hotly on the bank, they all retreated to the nest; as a general rule very few are abroad during the heat of the day. I visited them again in the evening when the sun was leaving the bank, and observed the same grand muster as in the morning; after this they began to depart, and, following the course taken by the body of the army, composed entirely of the larger neuters, I soon found that their purpose was to pillage. At the distance of about ten yards from their habitation was a nest of the Formica flava, and nearly joining it another of Formica nigra; into both of these the marauders entered, without the slightest opposition on the part of the rightful inhabitants, and quickly reappeared, each carrying either a pupa or a neuter insect, generally the former: on going back to their own nest, I found the laden ants arriving from all quarters with their unresisting captives. In the nest of F. sanguinea I found neuters of both the captured species,—nigra and flava,—principally the former; these indeed are very numerous, and when the nest is disturbed are exceedingly active in carrying the pupae off to the lower cells. If I visited the spot, either in the heat of the day, or at any time when they were all in the nest, and struck the bank a sharp blow or two with a stick, out rushed the large neuters or warriors alone to the defence, and it was amusing to see the grotesque and ferocious attitudes which they assumed. Nearly all the males and females had taken their departure, and the nests swarmed with eggs and larvae of neuters, and the captive ants were doubtless intended as nurses to the young brood.

Miscus campestris. This insect is found in company with Ammophila sabulosa, and is equally abundant, and undoubtedly a distinct insect. The females of Miscus are never so large as those of A. sabulosa. Miscus also provisions its nest with caterpillars.

Elampus Panzeri. I took this insect by beating the shrubs when the sun was obscured by a cloud; they then settle on the leaves, but fly very rapidly in the sunshine. I beat six specimens off a small dead twig, on which they had settled; they sparkled like jewels.

Epipone lævipes. I had the good fortune to add this insect to our British Fauna, and Mr. Shuckard described it from my notes in Lou-