202 THE WOODLANDS. 



CHAPTER XL 



ANTS, WASPS, AND BEES. 



ONE of the orders of British insects is called by 

 naturalists Hymenoptera. This is characterized by the 

 possession of two pairs of clear, membrane-like wings 

 and a peculiar instrument at the posterior extremity 

 of the females, which in the saw-flies -is a saw, in the 

 gall-flies bristles, in the ruby wasps a tube, and in the 

 ants, bees, wasps, and sand wasps it is a sting. The 

 gall-flies will receive notice in connection with the 

 galls which they cause ; the ants, bees, and wasps 

 being the most interesting of the remaining groups 

 demand attention here. The other groups are of 

 more interest to the scientific entomologist. 



Ants have been a favourite theme for authors, and 

 from Solomon to the present time have been appealed 

 to as furnishing lessons for the human race. Unfor- 

 tunately in some instances facts have not entirely 

 supported the elevated views which have prevailed 

 concerning them ; yet, notwithstanding this, they are 

 an interesting and instructive group of insects, well 

 worthy of minute study. Some species prefer woods, 

 whilst others affect gardens, and even houses, but 

 their habits and domestic economy are similar in all, 



It is reported of the celebrated Timour, that being 



