HYMENOPTERA. 89 
number and form of their joints, both in the various species, and in 
the sexes of the same species. The females do not lay up a store 
of food, either of pollen paste, or other insects, for the supply of their 
progeny. 
The section Terebrantia comprises the two subsections, 
A. PHYTIPHAGA. Abdomen sessile. Divisible into 
a. Serrifera. 9 armed with saws. 
b. Terebellifera. 9 armed with a borer. 
B. ENTOMOPHAGA. Abdomen pedunculated. Divisible into 
a. Spiculifera. Abdomen not tubular at the extremity ; ovipositor spiculi- 
form. 
b. Tubulifera. Abdomen tubular at the extremity ; ovipositor sting-like. 
Messrs. Saint Fargeau and Serville have proposed another mode o. 
distribution of the Terebrantia, founded upon variations in the form 
of the ovipositor, proposing five families ; namely, 1. Serrifera (Ten- 
thredo), 2. Spirifera (Cynips and Oryssus), 3. Terebellifera (Chalcis, 
Ichneumon, Evania, and Sirex), 4. Canalifera (Proctotrupes), and 
5. Tubulifera (Chrysis). I have not adopted this arrangement for 
the reasons subsequently detailed. 
The first sub-section, Phytiphaga, Securifera, Sessiliventres, or Serri- 
fera, as it has been variously named by Latreille and Saint Fargeau, 
is distinguished by having the abdomen sessile, hiding the base of the 
posterior legs. The ovipositor in the majority consists of two saws, 
which are alternately protruded and employed in preparing a place 
for the reception of the eggs, as well as in conducting them to their 
destination. In a few species (Terebellifera), the ovipositor is similar 
in its construction to the ovipositor of the Ichneumonidae, &c., whilst 
in one genus (Oryssus), it is spiral. The larve feed entirely upon 
vegetable matters, for the most part upon leaves ; a few, however, are 
internal feeders, and others reside in galls, in the manner of the Cyni- 
pide. The larve are furnished with completely developed organs of 
manducation; they also for the most part possess six short articulated 
legs, and a greater or less number of anal prolegs or other appendages. 
The Phytiphagous subsection consists of two tribes, each composed 
of a single family, namely, 
a. Serrifera, TENTHREDINIDm. Abdomen of the female furnished 
with a pair of saws. F 
b. Terebellifera, Urocertp®. Abdomen of the female furnished 
with a borer. 

