158 METAMORPHOSIS OF HYMENOPTERA. 



morphosis ; the larvae being more imperfect than those of almost 

 any other tribe ; and the pupae being quite inactive. In the 

 greater proportion of the order they are destitute of feet, and 

 resemble little worms. Their support is provided for, either by 

 the deposition of the eggs in situations where the future grub 

 will be furnished with an ample supply of food the parent 

 being directed to these by an unerring instinct, or by the active 

 exertions of the parents, which convey to the young the food 

 which they have themselves collected ; or by similar exertions 

 on the part of a race destitute of peculiar sex (hence termed 

 neuters), on whom this charge more especially devolves. When 



FIG. 381. LARVAE OF BEE, NATURAL FIG. 382. PUPA OF BEE. 



SIZE, AND MAGNIFIED. 



arrived at their full growth, and after undergoing several pre- 

 vious changes of skin, the larvae are transformed into inactive 

 pupse ; in which all the limbs of the future insect are visible, 

 encased in distinct sheaths, and folded on the under surface of 

 the thorax. During this part of their existence they take no 

 food. In their perfect state, these insects, for the most part, 

 take but little nourishment ; and this consists almost exclusively 

 of the nectar of flowers. Many of them, however, such as the 

 "Wasps, attack and destroy other insects ; but these are often 

 destined, not for their own support, but for the nourishment of 

 the young. This Order is of considerable extent, being inferior 

 only to the Coleoptera ; and it has been estimated to contain 

 one-fourth part of the whole Insect population. It attains its 

 greatest development in warm climates ; for, of the numerous 

 species inhabiting this country, the greater part are of very small 

 size, and some are almost of even microscopic minuteness. None 

 of the species attain any great dimensions ; very few of them 

 exceeding, or even attaining, two inches in length, or three in 



