166 SAWFLIES, ICHNEUMON FLIES, WASPS, ETC. 



social Ants, are remarkable for much of the Avork of 

 the community being carried on neither by the males, 

 nor as a regular thing by the large females, whicli 



Fig. i'jy.— Hornet. 



are commonly known as queens, but by a large 

 body of abortive females, or neuters, commonly known 

 as "workers." 



In the case of the Queen Bee, we have a clear in- 

 stance of the way in which different food and accom- 

 modation acts in altering, or rather in fully developing, 

 the powers ; and gain matter for thought, at least, 

 that a precisely contrary treatment, such as com- 

 pressing, starving, chilling, &c., brought about by 

 common farming measures, will not (or probably may 

 not) be without effect in stunting the growth, and 

 otherwise lessening attack. 



""^ 



Fig. 130. — Bee Parasite. 



These aculeate Hymenoptera, however, are little 

 included in the special points of farm-insect study 

 under consideration, and for the same reason the 



