174 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
The family Curystp1p# *, or ruby-tailed flies (corresponding with 
the Linnean genus Chrysis), is distinguished by having the abdomen 
attached to the thorax by a very short peduncle, and composed of 
only three, four, or five segments; the remainder being transformed 
into a tubular, retractile, telescopic-formed apparatus, the extremity 
of which is furnished with a minute sting, or ovipositor; the anterior 
wings have but few veins, and the posterior are nearly veinless. ‘The 
under side of the abdomen is concave, and capable of being applied to 
the breast ; so that, when alarmed, the insect rolls itself up into a ball. 
Fig. 79. 




The body is more or less oblong, shining, and punctured (fig. 79. 
1i—9. Chrysis ignita, and details) ; the head is transverse above (fig. 
79. 2. face); the upper lip is more or less distinct, and ciliated in 
front ; the mandibles are long, subtrigonate, simply incised in Chrysis, 
and varying in the number of teeth with which they are furnished 
in other genera (fig. 79. 10. mandible of Cleptes): the maxillz are 

* Brisuiocr. Rerer. TO THE CHRYSIDIDA. 
Le Pelletier Comte de Saint Fargeau, in Ann. du Mus. d’Hist. Nat. tom. xi. 1806. 
(Monogr. Chrysidide with figures.) — Ditto, in Encyclop. Méthod. tom. x. 
p. 8. 493. 
Dahlbom. Monographia Chrysididum Sueciz. Lond. 1829.— Ditto, in Exercitationes 
Hymenopt. parts 2. and 3. 1831. (Monogr. Chrysididum Sueciz. ) 
Skuckard, in Entomol. Mag. No. 17. (Monogr. British Chrysidide. ) 
Curtis. Brit. Entomology, 2d Edition of No. 1. (Chrysis. ) 
Coquebert. Mllust. Iconogr. 
Klug, in Walt]. Reise nach Spanien. — (Ditto, in Ehrenb. Symbol. Phys. pl. 45. 
not yet published. ) 
Spinola. Insecta Liguria, vol. i. and il. 
Fabricius, Panzer, Rossi, §¢c. 
