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XXIV. Descriptions of the Nests of two Hymenopterous Insects inhabiting 

 Brazil, and of the Species by which they were constructed. By John 

 Curtis, Esq., F.L.S. fyc. fyc. 



Read February 6th, 1844. 



OF the various departments in natural history which engage the attention 

 of man, none are more interesting or more calculated to elevate his mind 

 and to furnish him with a pure and endless source of amusement than the 

 economy of insects. Every one who supplies any data bearing upon this 

 subject contributes in no small degree to the advancement of natural history 

 by augmenting the store of materials upon which true science and philosophy 

 are based. It is the record of facts which has rendered the works of Reau- 

 mur and De Geer so interesting and invaluable. 



If we look to those insects which furnish the greatest variety, sagacity, and 

 even design in their economy, the orders of Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera will 

 perhaps be the most highly estimated. This, however, is a subject which 

 I will not enlarge upon here ; but I am happy in the opportunity of making 

 known to the Linnean Society two insects, whose nests are highly interest- 

 ing, the one being a structure of nidus perfectly novel in the family to which 

 the insect belongs ; and the other, although similar to that of a congenerous 

 species, differing from those which had been previously described. 



For these materials I am indebted to my esteemed friend Lord Goderich, to 

 whom they were presented, with many other curious insects, by the Right 

 Honourable Henry Ellis on his return from a special mission to Brazil. 



On looking over this collection, I saw two insects which were stated to be 

 the two sexes, taken from a nest in an accompanying box, in which also I found 

 a female fly : these I will forthwith describe, and afterwards enter upon the 

 history of this remarkable animal. It is of the 



Ord. Hymenoptera, Fam. Tenthredinidje, and Gen. Hylotoma of Klug: 



