184 



PERIPATUS, MYRIAPODS, AND INSECTS. 



first parts to darken. After the colouration is more or less per- 

 fected — according to the species — a delicate peUicle is shed or 

 rubbed off, and the bee or beede assumes its final form, though 

 usually it does not become active till after a further period of 

 repose. 



The remaining chapters treat of Classification, in which the 

 various classes up to the Hymenoptera are very fully described 

 and figured. Chapter XVI., from which we have selected our last 

 illustration, is devoted to the Termitid^ — White Ants or Termites. 

 This chapter is throughout an exceedingly interesting one. Our 

 space will only allow of one short extract : — 



The economy of Termes lucifugus, the only European Termite 

 besides Calotermes flavicollis, has been studied by various obser- 

 vers, the most important of whom are Lespes and Grassi and 



A B c 



Fig. 14. — Larva and Pupa of a Bee, Xylocopa violacea. 



A, Larva ; B, Pupa, ventral aspect ; C, Pupa, dorsal aspect. (After Lucas.) 



Sandias. This species is more advanced in social life than Calo- 

 termes is, and possesses both workers and soldiers (Fig. 15, 2, 3). 

 The individuals are much smaller than those of Colotermes. 

 Burrows are made in wood of various kinds, furniture being some- 

 times attacked. Besides making excavations, this species builds 

 galleries, so that it can move from one object to another without 

 being exposed ; it being a rule — subject to certain exceptions — 

 that Termites will not expose themselves in the outer air. This is 

 probably due, not only to the necessity for protection against ene- 

 mies, but also to the fact that they cannot bear a dry atmosphere ; 



