164 INSTINCTS OF HYMENOPTERA. 



much fewer in number than in the Neuroptera, and do not form 

 a close network by their ramifications, as in that Order. In 

 some of the minute species, the wings are almost, or even en- 

 tirely, destitute of nerves. Another character furnished by the 

 wings consists in the connection of the anterior and posterior 

 wings on each side, during flight, by means of a series of minute 

 hooks along the front edge of the latter, which catch the hinder 

 margin of the other, so as to produce one continued surface on 

 each side. The Hymenoptera are also peculiarly distinguished 

 by a prolongation of the last segment of the body in the females, 

 into an organ, which is, in one division of the Order, a sting, 

 and in the other, an ovipositor, or instrument for the deposi- 

 tion of the eggs, usually possessing the power of boring a hollow 

 for their reception ( 667). 



750. The Hymenoptera are further remarkable for the great 

 development of their instinctive faculties, and of their locomotive 

 powers. It is in this Order that we find the most remarkable 

 examples of contrivance, and of skilful adaptation of means to 

 ends ; but this adaptation results, it would appear, not from an 

 exercise of intelligence on the part of the animals themselves (as 

 in Man and the higher Vertebrata), but from their blindly fol- 

 lowing out a path laid down for them by the Almighty Designer 

 (ANIM. PHYSIOL. 475). That the two classes of faculties just 

 mentioned should attain their highest development in the same 

 group (the Neuroptera may, perhaps, be included in this state- 

 ment), is a very remarkable and interesting fact. Considering 

 these powers as those which are peculiarly characteristic of the 

 animal kingdom, we may regard these groups of Insects as the 

 types or centres ( 35) of that kingdom. As we descend the 

 scale, we find these powers gradually disappearing, whilst, the 

 organs of vegetative life (which, as we have seen, are of compa- 

 ratively small size in Insects), gain the predominance, so that in 

 the Zoophytes we have an evident approach to the vegetable 

 kingdom. On the other hand, as we ascend the Vertebrated 

 series, we find the Instincts gradually superseded by Intelligence, 

 which in Man becomes the sole director (at least in the well- 

 governed mind) of the actions, keeping the instincts in subordi- 



