46 GUIDE TO INSECTS. 



In the second half of the same case are some examples of 

 Saw-flies. The metamorphosis of the common Currant Saw-fly is 

 illustrated by a series of coloured drawings. Specimens of the fly 

 with leaves injured by the larvae are also shown. The eggs are laid 

 in rows on the ribs on the under side of the leaves. Examples of 

 another species, Nematus propinquits, the larvse of which sometimes 

 strip the leaves from Black Poplar, are also exhibited. 



In the same case will be seen a female example of the Pine 

 Borer, Sirex gijas, in the act of depositing eggs in wood. The larva 

 burrows into the solid wood, and often does much damage in fir 

 plantations. 



Table- In the next case are some examples of Ichneumonidw. One of 



case . these, Rhyssa persuasoria, is a parasite on the larva of Sirex. In 

 order to deposit its eggs on or near the larva of the Sirex, it is provided 

 with a very long ovipositor, but how the insect passes this delicate 

 instrument through solid wood is unknown. A small piece of wood 

 with the ovipositor of a specimen in it is exhibited. Unfortunately 

 the insect was broken when found. An allied species, Rhyssa atrata, 

 with much longer ovipositor, is also shown. 



Some examples of the white cocoons made by Braconidto (often 

 mistaken for spiders' nests) are shown in the same Table-case ; and 

 also a series of galls made by Gall-flies, Cynipidm. An interesting 

 series of the galls will also be found among the models on a shelf on 

 the west side of the gallery. 

 Wall- Wall -cases 11 to 16 are devoted to nests of ants, wasps, and bees. 



Among the ant-nests should be noticed one made by binding 

 together leaves with silk threads (317, 319). This is the work of a 

 moderately large pale green ant, CEcof)hylla smaragdina, a common 

 species in India, with varieties in Africa and Australia (fig. 47). 



Several brown nests from trees are exhibited. These are built 

 by species of Crematogaster, and from their form have been called 

 "Negro Heads "(301 -311). 



A small nest of the Provident Ant (321), Atta barbara, now 

 known as Aphenogaster barbara, which stores its nest with seeds, is 

 shown in the same case. Another curious nest is that of PolyrTiachis 

 bispinosus (327) from Brazil. This is made of soft substance and 

 has the appearance of a sponge. 



Formica fuliginosa. a common English black ant, forms its nest 

 in hollow trees. A portion of one of their nests is exhibited (333). 

 Another complete nest (335), found near Guildford, was built in a 

 house under the drawing-room floor. 



