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CHAPTER IL. 
CLASSIFICATION AND DISTINCTION OF THE SPECIES. 
HYMENOPTEROUS INSECTS GENERALLY. WASPS—SOLITARY, SOCIAL, 
BRITISH SPECIES, THEIR DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERS AND HABITS. 
WASPS constitute a subdivision of the large Order of 
Hymenopterous Insects. This order is characterized 
by the possession of two pair of clear membranous 
wings, from which it takes its name, and of a peculiar 
instrument placed at the end of the abdomen im the 
female sex. This instrument has been adopted as a 
means of classification, the Order being subdivided 
into tribes according to the different structure and 
functions of their appendage. In the Sirex and 
Saw-flies it is a piercer or saw. In the Gall-flies and 
Ichneumons it is an apparatus of pointed bristles. 
In the Ruby-wasps it is a telescopic tube. And in the 
four remaining tribes, which are hence called the 
Aculeate Hymenoptera, namely, Ants, Bees, Wasps, 
and Sand-wasps, it is a sting. 
There is no difficulty in distinguishing wasps from 
the tribes first mentioned, nor, in most cases from 
ants. And the British species of wasps, at least, with 
which we are here alone concerned, can scarcely be 
confused with any of our bees or sand-wasps. It 
will be needless, therefore, to enter into a detailed 
