252 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 
The species of the genus Polistes do not enclose their nests in a 
general envelope, but leave the cells exposed, attaching them to stems 
of plants, walls, &c., sideways, so that a moderate-sized nest has, at a 
distance, somewhat the appearance of a full-blown flower. (Réaumur, 
Mémoires, tom. vi. pl. 19. and 25.; Swammerdam, Book of Nature, 
pl. 26.; Rosel, Abhandl. Ins. vol. ii. Bomb. et Vesp. tab. 7.; Turin 
Trans. vol. xxii. Polistes italicus.) 
Fig. 87. 19. represents Polistes gallica, stationed upon a very 
small nest. This, and some other nests of the same species, which I 
brought to England from Paris, afforded me an opportunity for ob- 
serving the habits of the species (especially with reference to their 
flight, and departure from and return to the nest), of which I have 
read the particulars in a paper before the Entomological Society. 
M. V. Audouin has observed that the spiracles of these larvae, owing 
to the dilated form of the front of the body, are placed only upon 
the meso- and metathoracic and first abdominal segment. 
St. Fargeau states, that he has often found in the nests of Polistes 
gallica cells filled with honey, which he had tasted without experi- 
encing any ill effects. 
Polistes macaensis is a very common Chinese species, and is fre- 
quently represented in the drawings on rice-paper sent to this 
country, together with its nest, which is attached to the twigs of trees, 
and is composed of cells without any covering. 
The second subsection of the Hymenoptera aculeata comprises 
the very extensive and interesting families of bees, which, from their 
peculiar construction and economy, may be considered as the types 
of the order, and, consequently, as the farthest removed from any of 
the other orders of insects. 
As a group, they have been termed by Latreille MeLtiirera * 
(honey-gatherers), or ANTHOFHILA (lovers of flowers). 

* Bistiocr. ReEFer. TO THE MELLIFERA IN GENERAL. 
Kirby. Monographia Apum Anglia, 2 vols. 8vo. Ipswich, 1802. 
Latreille. Ordre Naturel des Insectes désignés généralement sous le nom d’ Abeilles, 
in Hist. des Fourmis, p. 401. — Ditto, ditto, in Humboldt, Observ. de Zool. 
Brazil. — Ditto, in Ann. du Mus. d’Hist. Nat, tom. iv. and y. 
