HYMENOPTERA — DIPLOPTERYGA. 237 
(fig. 88. 16.), (except in the genus Ceramias, in which they are ex- 
tended horizontally.) These organs are always developed in both 
sexes, and also in the neuters of the social species. The antenne are 
generally elbowed, and either filiform or thickened at the tips; they 
are inserted near the middle of the face, with the third joint longer 
than any of the following. The tongue is of moderate length, and 
terminated by laciniz, which are glandular at the tip, with a pair of 
lateral linear paraglosse. The palpi are short and filiform; the 
maxilla are long, coriaceous, and compressed, with the terminal part 
less coriaceous, and separated by a transverse suture. The eyes are 
notched; the thorax is oval and entire; the collar extends laterally to 
the base of the wings. The construction of the thorax of one of the 
wasps (P. Billardierii ab. ?) has been elaborately investigated by 
MacLeay (Zool. Journ. No. 18.). 
The fore wings have one marginal, and three perfect submarginal 
cells, with an incomplete terminal submarginal one. 
The body of these insects is either quite naked, or but very slightly 
clothed with hairs; it is in general of a black colour, more or less 
spotted with yellow or buff; the clypeus is generally unspotted in the 
males, but in the opposite sex it is more or less spotted with yellow. 
The legs are of moderate length, not furnished with organs fitted for 
the collection of polien ; the posterior tarsi having the basal joint 
neither dilated nor furnished with pollen plates or brushes. The 
abdomen is ovate or ovate conic in its form, and often petiolated ; 
the sting of the females and neuters is very powerful, and has oc- 
casionally caused the death of persons who have been attacked by 
these insects. 
The chief character upon which this division is founded, and from 
which it receives its name, is one of those curious instances where we 
find a peculiarity of organisation (apparently of very trifling nature, 
and which cannot, so far as we are enabled to perceive, exercise the 
slightest influence upon the habits of the species,) so constant and 

Valentin. Nidus Vesparum mirandus, Act. Acad. Nat. Cur. vol. ii. 
Von Malinowsky. Beitr. Naturg. Vespa Crabro, Berlin Mag. 1808. 
Muralto. Anatomia Crabronis, in Ephem. Nat. Curios. Dee. 2. 
Strauss. Anatomie du Frelon, (V. Crabro); with 4 fig. Ferussac Bull. 1830; 
and in Ann. Sci. Nat. Sept. 1830. 
Bigge. Observations on the Natural History of the Two Species of Wasps. 
Oxford, 1835. 8vo. 
Fabricius, Panzer, Rossi, Spinola, Savigny (Egypte), Coquebert, Drury, Griffith 
(An. K, Synagris cornuta), Latreille (Humboldt), Perty (Brazil), St. Fargeau. 
