300 ^A' ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY. 



are yet unknown to us. It is believed to be parasitic, but upon 

 what sorts of species no one has yet discovered. 



The remainder of the order has been roughly classed as 

 Aculeate, or " stinging" forms, the majority of the species being 

 provided with an ovipositor modified into a sting like that of the 

 bee, having connected with it a more or less well-developed 

 poison-sac. From the fact that the sting is a modified ovipos- 

 itor, or egg-laying tube, it follows that it can be found in the 

 female only ; hence the males of bees and wasps of all kinds 

 have not the power of stinging, and may be safely handled. The 

 use of the sting varies in the different families, and this subject 

 will be further spoken of 



One little group is separated off under tlie title " Tubulifera," 

 and contains the single family Chrysididcs, bees of a brilliant 

 metallic blue and green, deeply punctured or pitted, and, as a 

 whole, of rather robust build. They are 

 ^' among the most beautiful of all the Hy- 



meiioptera, are of fair size, and are peculiar 

 in the structure of the abdomen, which is 

 telescopic. From three to five segments 

 only are visible, the others being re- 

 tracted, but capable of a tube-like exten- 

 sion, at the end of which the minute sting 

 is situated. They have been called 

 "cuckoo-bees" from their habit of laying eggs in the nests of 

 other solitary bees and wasps. The larva is supposed to hatch 

 before the true owner of the food supply, and to devour the 

 store, leaving the other hapless baby to starve to death. Eco- 

 nomically, the species are of no importance, save as they form a 

 check to the increase of certain other bees and wasps. 



Few insects are better known to the average observer than the 

 ants that are found everywhere : in our houses, in fields, in 

 woods, in the ground, under stones, in trees, in roots, and in all 

 other likely and unlikely places. They are abundant in temper- 

 ate countries, more rare to the northward, but become veritable 

 pests by their enormous numbers in the tropics. They have 

 many peculiarities of habit, and their development is remarkable 

 in certain directions. We find among them architects and 

 builders, agriculturists, masons, tailors, and many of the other 



