HYMENOPTERA. 131 



into two sub-sections, viz. : (1) The Prcedones, the 

 Kobbing or Rapacious, and (2) the Anthophila, or 

 flower-loving Hyinenoptera. In the former these are 

 Ants, Sand-wasps, and Wasps, in the latter Bees. 



In the Prsedones there are the following divisions : — 

 (1) Heterogyna, which contains the Ants. (2) Fossores 

 which contains the Sand-wasps. (3) Dlploptera, con- 

 taining the true Wasps. 



There is a distinguishing mark between these two 

 sub-sections, in the shape of the hind-leg, the first joint 

 n the tarsus is cylindrical in the Prsedones, enlarged 

 and flattened in the Anthophila. 



Heterogyna are divided into the Formicidce, the 

 Social Ants, and the Matillidcv or Solitary Ants. The 

 economy of the Heterogyna is varied, some form tunnels 

 and burrows under the ground, others in decaying trees, 

 some suspend their nests from trees. The societies 

 consist of males, females, and workers, these latter being 

 probably abortive females. The males are always 

 w^inged, the females only for a time. Small as are most 

 of the species of British Ants, their economy is truly 

 marvellous, even amid the many marvels of the insect 

 world. *' The industry of the Ant," to quote the 

 words of Mr. F. Smith, " is a household proverb ; when 

 their habitations are by any means injured or destroyed, 

 no time is lost in useless despair — one spirit animates 

 each individual — siaiakaneously they set to work to 

 repair their misfortune — unceasingly they labour — 

 nothing damps their ardour or abates their industry — 

 until as if by magic hand, their habitation again rises 

 to its former height and beauty, and all trace of ruin 

 has disappeared." The Social Ants are distinguished 



K 2 



