12. Pheidole Taprobanae ^HNS. B.M.

Female. Length 6 1/2 lines. - Black, with obscure ferruginous tints on the face anteriorly, the sides of the thorax and nodes of the peduncle: the head longitudinally striated before the ocelli, and transversely striated on the vertex behind them; the clypeus smooth and shining, the mandibles shining and slightly punc- tured; the antennae pale rufo-testaceous; the ocelli large, and of glassy brightness. Thorax ovate; the disk shining, with a few scattered punctures, obliquely striated at the sides anteriorly, and longitudinally so towards the scutellum, the latter smooth, shining and very convex; the metathorax truncate, the trunca- tion transversely striated, the upper portion rugose and armed on each side with a short stout acute spine; the legs ferruginous. Abdomen ovate, smooth and shining; the first node of the pe- duncle, viewed sideways, is wedge-shaped, transversely striated and emarginate above, beneath, with a longitudinal central flat- tened appendage; the second node wider than the first, trans- verse, and narrowed towards the abdomen, its anterior margin smooth and shining.

Hab. Ceylon.