SIKEX. SIREX. 
Generic Character. 
Os maxillis duabus validis. 
Palpi duo, truncati. 
Antenna articulis 
ultra viginti quatuor. 
Aculeus exsertus, rigens, 
serratus. 
Abdomen sessile, mucrona- 
tum. 
Ala lanceolatae, planse om- 
nibus. 
Mouth with two strong jaws. 
Feelers two, truncated. 
Antenna filiform, with more 
than twenty-four joints. 
Piercer exserted, stiff, ser- 
rated. 
Abdomen sessile, pointed. 
Wings lanceolate, flat in 
all. 
T[ HE larvtE of these insects are of a lengthened, 
cylindric appearance, living in the decayed parts 
of trees, on the substance of which they feed : the 
chrysalis, as in the genus Tenthredo, exhibits the 
limbs of the perfect insect in a contracted state. 
The largest species is the Sirea: Gigas of Lin- 
naeus, which surpasses a hornet in size, and is 
principally observed in the neighbourhood of pines 
and other coniferous trees: it is of a black colour, 
with the eyes, the base, and lower half of the 
abdomen bright orange-yellow: the thorax villose, 
and the wings of a transparent yellowish brovvn: 
the sting or terminal tube is very conspicuous. 
