ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 



Including the Bees, Wasps, Ants, Ichneumon Flies, Saw Flies, 

 Gall Flies, and their Allies. 



The Hymenoptera belongs to one of the most interesting and 

 extensive orders of insects. The structure and habits of the 

 different species which it includes are very various. Their mar- 

 vellous instincts have excited the admiration and wonderment of 

 the philosophers of all ages. They are, indeed, by far the most 

 intelligent of insects, being greatly in advance of any other group 

 known to exist. The Hymenoptera are mandibulate insects, their 

 mouths being formed for biting, and they undergo cornplete 



Fig. 5. — Cryptus Formosus, 



metamorphoses. Perhaps the most striking external distinctive 

 character is to be found in the structure of the wings, both pairs 

 of which are membranous ; and another peculiarity of equal 

 importance is the condition of the prothorax, which is reduced to 

 very small dimensions. In the majority of the Hymenoptera the 

 females are provided with stings, which serve many purposes. 



