Echinopla

3. Echinopla Striata.

E. nigra; capite, thorace et abdomine longitudinaliter striatis; thorace oblongo, subquadrate; pedunculo transverso.

Worker. Length 3 lines. Black; the head, thorax and abdomen finely striated longitudinally; the head with an obscure blue tinge; the palpi pale rufo-testaceous. Thorax: oblong, the margins denticulate, the anterior margin rounded, the lateral margins narrowed to the middle, and again widened posteriorly; above slightly arched; the division of the pro- and meso-thorax distinctly marked by a suture; that of the meso- and meta-thorax by a deep strangulation; the peduncle of the abdomen incrassate, transverse, and armed on each side by a stout spine. The entire insect thinly, sprinkled with erect black hairs.

Hab. Malacca.

Of this species I have only seen two individuals: I place it in this genus with some hesitation; but the antennae are similar; the thorax and scale of the abdomen of the same form; the legs also are short, as in Echinopla: the principal difference being, that the eyes are less prominent; it is altogether a very curious and remarkable species.