THE INSECT WOELD. 



the genus Odynerus. This insect makes its nest in the stalk 

 of a bramble or briar (Fig. 358) with a mortar which it pre- 



Fig. 355. -A sptcies of Odynerua. 



Fig. 356. Larva of the 

 Oilynerus. 



Fig. 357. Pupsi of 

 the Odynerus. 



pares. 



The larva (Fig. 356) lines its cell with a silky cocoon. 

 It is the last egg laid which is 

 hatched the first; then come the 

 others, in an inverse order from 

 that in which they were deposited. 

 \i If it had been in the other order, 



Fjg.38. Nest of an Odynerus in the stem the insects Could not have COme 



out of the cells without destroy- 

 ing on their way the less advanced pupae. 



ANTS. 



The habits of the Ants are as remarkable as the habits of the 

 baes. In their marvellous republics each one has his fixed duties 

 to perform, of which he acquits himself willingly and without 

 constraint. In consequence of their habits of foresight and fru- 

 gality, ease reigns in the dwellings of these little animals, which 

 become attached to their nest by a feeling of patriotism. Woe 

 betide him who disturbs them in their occupations, or destroys 

 their house. Like bees, they form a regular republic, composed 

 first, of males ; secondly, of females ; thirdly, of neuters, or 

 workers. We shall see, further on, the labours and the part 

 played by each one of these three orders of the republic. Let 

 us speak first of the species. 



Ants are divided into a great number of species, which have 

 been carefully described by De Greer, Latreille, and Francis Huber, 

 the son of the celebrated blind man who wrote the history of bees. 

 All these species have, however, some general traits in common, 

 by which they may be easily distinguished from all other insects. 



