HYMENOPTERA. 231 



the mouth fully developed ; ocelli three ; wings all deve- 

 loped, the fore wings exceeding the hind in size, mem- 

 braneous, and used in flying; the mesothorax largely 

 developed at the expense of the pro- and metathorax ; the 

 podeon mostly restricted ; the tarsi, with few exceptions, 

 five-jointed. Food very various. 



Social ants or Formicites. Larva an inactive, obese, vo- 

 racious maggot, residing entirely in the earth, and dependant 

 for food on the care of the perfect insects. Pupa changes 

 in a tough leathery cocoon ; these cocoons are commonly 

 known as "ants' eggs." Imago with the antenna composed 

 of about thirteen joints, often elbowed, slightly incrassated 

 exteriorly ; mandibles somewhat triangular, toothed ; max- 

 illa obtuse ; labium short, obtuse, its ligula not produced; 

 maxillary and labial feelers fully developed and distinctly 

 articulate ; fore wings ample ; hind wings small ; lives un- 

 der ground in immense societies, consisting of three kinds 

 of individuals, males, females and abortive females. For- 

 mica, represented at page 41, Myrmica. 



Solitary ants or Mutillites. Larva and pupa unknown. 

 Imago with antenna composed of about thirteen joints, 

 not elbowed, rather attenuated exteriorly ; mandibles long, 

 dentate at the apex ; maxilla obtuse ; labium short, ob- 

 tuse, its ligula not produced ; maxillary and labial feelers 

 fully developed and distinctly articulate ; ocelli indistinct 

 or wanting ; wings possessed by the males only ; females 

 usually with the pro- meso- and metathorax equally deve- 

 loped ; abortive females none. Inhabits sandy situations, 

 and is solitary. Mutilla, Myrmosa, Methoca. 



Scholiites. Larva an elongate, inactive maggot; inhabits 

 a burrow or hole made in the sand by its parent, and feeds 

 on larva or occasionally on perfect insects which she has 

 provided for its sustenance. Pupa changes in a silken 

 cocoon spun by the larva at the bottom of its domicile. 



