HYMENOPTERA. 6 1 9 



living, during summer, in nests divided into hexagonal cells, 

 opening downwards, formed of paper-like material, which is 

 impervious to water. During a season, two or three broods are 

 raised successively in the same set of cells. The nests may be 

 seen on trees, sometimes from twelve to sixteen inches in diame- 

 ter. The small " Yellow Jackets," as they are termed, build 

 under ground. 



The Paper-Wasp, Polistes (Gr. the founder or chief of a 

 state,) fuscata, (Lat. swarthy,) either fastens its comb to the 

 branch of a tree, or to the shelving parts of a house. 



The PASTE-BOARD WASPS, Chartergus, (Gr. paper- work,) make 

 their nests of a solid and rather thick paste-board. Their struc- 

 tures have been seen in Pennsylvania, but are more common in 

 South America. 



The Common Hornet, (Plate XV. fig. 12,) V. crabro, (Lat. a 

 hornet,) is considerably larger and more formidable than the 

 Wasp, building its nests in decaying hollow trees, or beneath 

 their roots, and in timber yards, or under the eaves of barns, etc. 

 Its sting, as is well known, often produces serious consequences. 



The LARGE AMERICAN HORNET, V. maculata, (Lat. spotted,) 

 often enters houses to catch flies. 



The ANTS, Formicida, (formica, an ant,) a well known and 

 interesting family, to be distinguished, however, from the White 

 Ants already described, as belonging to another order. In addi- 

 tion to the males and females, which form a small part in any 

 community of ants, and which are alone furnished with wings, 

 there are neuters, or workers, by which the labors are chiefly 

 performed, not only constructing the nests, but feeding and tak- 

 ing care of the young grubs. These alone survive the winter, 

 in our climate remaining torpid during that season ; but it is 

 otherwise with them in the torrid zones. There they are active, 

 night and day, during the entire year ; to these the words of 

 inspiration, (Proverbs vi.,) have particular reference, so inde- 

 fatigable is their industry that to them the indolent and inactive 

 may well be pointed for lessons of instruction. " Go to the ant, 

 thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise." 



The RED ANTS, Formica rubra, construct their nests upon the 

 branches of trees. These are said to be the only ones which 

 feed upon their own species. Extremely lively representations 

 have been given of the wars sometimes carried on between two 

 or three Ant-cities, equal in size and population, and situated at 

 about one hundred paces from each other. 



Of this ant a minute species, M. domestica, is found in com- 

 panies, either under stones, or else in old galls upon oak shrubs, 



