METAMORPHOSIS OF HYMENOPTERA. 165 



nation ; and through his immortal soul we are connected with 

 that kingdom of pure Intelligence, in which we have reason to 

 believe that Mind exists unfettered by the imperfections of its 

 corporeal instruments, and of which we are encouraged to hope 

 that we shall ourselves be sharers, when " this corruptible shall 

 have put on incorruption." The mutual adjustment of the 

 various instinctive actions of a large number of individuals, so 

 that they all work together towards a common end, like the 

 parts of a machine, is nowhere so remarkable as in the social 

 Insects, which are principally restricted to this Order ; and the 

 Bees, Wasps, and Ants belonging to it, have consequently at- 

 tracted the attention of the observer of nature from a very early 

 period. 



75 1 . The Insects of this Order undergo a complete meta- 

 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 the larvae 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. 482. LARV.E OP BEE, NATURAL FIG. 483. PUPA OP BEE. 



SIZE, AND MAGNIFIED. 



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

 vious changes of skin, the larvae are transformed into inactive 

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

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

 VOL. n, N 



