218 ZOOLOGY. 



33, plate 3 ; abdomen arched beneath, with a laioral 

 scale on each side ; tail toothed ; sting pungent, nearly 

 concealed ; wings flat. Bod^ with golden and pris- 

 matic reflections. 



7. Vespa. Wasp. Month with '^ayvs ; antennce filiform, the 

 fjrst joint longer, and cylindrical ; fig. 34, plate 3 ; 

 eyes lunated ; body smooth; sting concealed: upper 

 wings plaited. 



The species of this genus mostly live in societies, con- 

 structing cellular nests or combs, generally under ground, in 

 a hole in a sloping bank, or beneath the roots of trees, they 

 feed on flies, bees, and other insects, on flesh, meal, fruit, 

 and sweet substances ; the larvae is soft, without feet, and 

 feeds on honey. 



S. yjpis. Bee. Mouth furnished with jaws, and an inflected 

 proboscis, \\\i\i two bivalve sheaths; zoings flat, with 

 out folds : sting in the female and neuter insects, con- 

 cealed : the male is without sting. 



The oeconomy of some of this tribe is so generally 

 known, as to render any detail unnecessary in this 

 place, it may be suflicient to say, that most of the species 

 live in large societies, in nests, composed of waxen cells ; 

 some few are solitary ; they feed on honey, and the necta- 

 riferous juices of flowers and fruit ; the larva is soft, and with- 

 out feet ; the pupa resembles the perfect insect. 



9. Formicula, Ant, or Emmet. Head large : antenmc 



