ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 



25 



One of the best-known species in our own country is Mutilla 

 eiiropaa^ which is about half an inch long, of a black colour, hairy, 

 with the thorax entirely red in the wingless females. 



Fig. 25. — Mutilla Maura (Female). 



This insect frequents the nests of Humble Bees, and its larvc^ 

 appear to be parasitic upon the larvce. of the bees. 



SedioJi 4. — Heterogy7ia. 



Family 17, Formiddcz. — To this family belongs the numerous 

 species of ants, which are social insects, organised after the fashion 

 of the bees and social wasps. 



The number of species described is probably considerably over 

 a thousand, but the total number must be very much greater if 

 Mr. Bates is correct in his estimate that not less than 400 species 

 inhabit the valley of the Amazon. 



Fig. 26. — Formica Lignipeda (Male). (Mag.) 



The habits of the ants are most interesting, and one of our 

 greatest living naturalists. Sir John Lubbock, has devoted much 

 of his time in elucidating their economy. 



The nests are almost always chambered cavities, hollowed out 

 either in the ground, in walls, and similar situations, or in dead 

 and decaying wood. 



