84 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
wasps, according to the views of Latreille (Genera Crustaceorum, &c., 
vol. iil. p. 220.), interrupts the series feunded upon the great re- 
semblance between such genera as Philanthus and Vespa (Latr. 
Consid. Générales, p.'76.), and upon the fossorial habits of certain 
Vespidz ; whilst, by placing the ants at the head of the Praedones, 
as in the later works of the same author, they are far removed from 
the social bees and wasps with which they agree in their entire 
economy. I have adopted the former situation for this family, al- 
though I cannot but think it would violate fewer relationships were 
the ants to terminate the order; their supposed affinity with the 
Mutillidee would, indeed, in this view be broken; but the relation 
between these two families is in reality very slight. By this means 
the series above-mentioned would be maintained, and the connection 
existing between the aberrant Chrysididz and certain Fossores, as 
evinced by their habits, maintained. In the construction of the 
Ovipositor, as well as in the nervures of the wings, some Chrysididze 
nearly approach the Proctotrupide, especially certain splendid exotic 
species which I have seen in the Royal Museum of Berlin, allied to 
Bethyllus*; the genus Stephanus seems to connect the Ichneu- 
monidze and Evaniidee, which latter are regarded by Latreille as 
nearly related to the Uroceride. The Cynipide appear to me how- 
ever, in their gall-forming and consequent herbivorous habits, to 
approach nearer to the Tenthredinidz, some of which are similarly 
gall-formers. In the structure of the ovipositor they also approach 
Oryssus amongst the Uroceridz, whilst in the parasitic habits of several 
recently observed species (Allotria victrix, Westw., Se.) they are 
closely connected with some of the minute Adscitous Ichneumons, 
especially Aphidius, &c. The Uroceride, in the structure both of the 
ovipositor and larvae, admirably intervene between the Entomophaga 
and Tenthredinide ; which last are certainly farther removed from the 
types of the order than any other of the Hymenoptera. + 
* The genus Bethyllus seems to be nearly allied to certain Tiphiw. Mr. Hali- 
day even seems to regard it as aculeate, and as closely connected with Stigmus ; 
from his account of its habits it also appears to be fossorial. 
+ By reversing the groups composing the section Aculeata, as arranged above, 
the bees, which are certainly the types of the order, would be removed to the 
greatest distance from the adjacent orders of Trichoptera (with which the saw-flies 
from the connecting link) and Coleoptera (with which some species of ants, accord- 
ing to Mr, Macleay, form the connection). By this means, however, the circular 
succession would be prevented, the ants and saw-flies haying no bond of union. 
