232 INSECTA. 



entire and rounded at the end, and the posterior extremity of the 

 thorax is furnished with a spine. In the second, or Chrvsis, Spin., 

 there is but a single dentation on the same edge ; the abdomen is 

 more elongated, truncated at the end, and frequently a transverse 

 range of large punctures at the same extremity. In this subdivision 

 comes the most common species in Europe. 



C. ignita, L. ; Panz., Faun. Insect. Germ., V, 22. Blue 

 mixed with green ; abdomen golden cupreous-red, and termi- 

 nated by four dentations. 

 Sometimes the thorax is narrowed before ; the abdomen is almost 

 ovoidal without being arched, and presents four segments in the 

 females and five in the males. 



CLEfTEs, r^al.. 

 Where the mandibles are short and dentated. The ligula is en- 

 tire *. 



The second section of the Hyraenoptera, that of the Aculeata, 

 differs from the first in the absence of the ovipositor. A concealed 

 and retractile sting composed of three pieces usually supplies the 

 place of it in the females, and in the neuters of species which form 

 communities. Sometimes, as in certain Ants, this sting is wanting, 

 and the Insect defends itself by the ejaculation of an acid liquid con- 

 tained in special glandular reservoirs f. 



The Hymenoptera of this section always have their antennae sim- 

 ple, and composed of a constant number of joints, namely, of thirteen 

 in the males, and twelve in the females. The palpi are generally 

 filiform, those of the maxillae, frequently the longest, having six 

 joints, and those of the labium four. The mandibles are smaller, and 

 frequently less dentated in the males than in the opposite sex. The 

 abdomen, united to the thorax by a thread or pedicle, is composed of 

 seven rings in the males, and of six in the females. The four wings 

 are always veined, and present the various sorts of ordinary cells. 



The larvee are always destitute of feet, and feed on aliments pre- 

 sented to them by the females or neuters, consisting either of the 

 bodies of Insects, the juices of fruits, or a mixture of pollen, stamina 

 and honey. 



This section is divided into four families. 



in which the metathorax presents a scutelliform projection, the head offers no de- 

 pression, and where the simple eyes are arranged in a triangle, those on the sides 

 being considerably distant from the ordinary eyes. 



* For all these divisions, see Lat., Gen. Crust, et Insect., IV, p. 41, et seq. ; 

 Am^d., Lepeletier, Ann, du Mus. U'Hist. Nat; Max., Spinola, Insect. Ligur ; 

 Jurine and Panzer on the Hymenoptera. 



•f For details relative to the organs which produce this venomous fluid, see the 

 M^moire sur les Abeilles of Reaumur, and that of M. Leon Dufour, quoted in our 

 general observations upon the Insects of this order, 



