CHAPTER XX. 



ORDER X. HYMENOPTERA (LiNN.cus). 



• 



This order resembles the Neuroptera in the number, texture, and organization of the 

 wings ; but they have a fewer number of nervures, and are less delicate in their construc- 

 tion : the furewings, too, are larger than the hind ones, and their foldings are horizontally 

 disposed upon the back. The mouth is provided with horny jaws, and the maxillje are 

 metamorphosed into a sheath for the membranous tongue. The eyes are large. The thorax 

 is composed of three consolidated segments, and the abdomen is attached to it by a pedicle 

 or thread, provided with a sting in the females, or terminated with a multivalved saw or 

 ovipositor. The tarsi are five-jointed. The larva is without feet, except in one group ; and 

 the pupa is inactive and incomplete. 



This order probably furnishes the most remarkable families for the development of 

 social qualities and instinctive powers ; and if instinctive endowments have claims for 

 consideration, the hymenoptera should rank first and foremost among the insect tril«es. 

 Some of these remarkable qualities appear in the bee, the ichneumon, the wasp, and the 

 gallfly. 



This is the most populous of all the orders in the insect world, unless we except the 

 CoLEOPTERA } Its estimated numbers embracing one-fourth of the insect population. 



Mr. Westwood adopts the following divisions for this order : 



Section I. Terebrantia ( Latreille) : the abdomen of the female being furnished with an 

 ovipositor, which combines the characters of a saw and a perforator or borer for 

 depositing its eggs. 



Section II. Aculeata (Latreille), embraces those whose abdomens in the females are 

 provided with a sting connected with a poison reservoir. The antennae of the males 

 have thirteen, and those of the females twelve joints. 



