INSECTS: STINGS AND OVIPOSITORS 157 



which, where it is united to the following plate, it rises 

 and forms with it a prominent ridge running transverse to 

 the course of the saw. Each of these ridges then forms a 

 second tooth, as stout as the main edge- tooth, which, with 

 the rest of the same series, forms a row of teeth on the 

 oblique side of the saw, in a very peculiar manner, diffi- 

 cult to express by words. It is singular that this side of 

 the saw should be studded with minute hairs, since these 

 would seem to interfere with the action of the saw, or at 

 least be liable to be themselves rubbed down and destroyed 

 in its action. 



But their existence is indubitable ; there they are, point- 

 ing at a very acute angle toward the top of the saw. The 

 back edge of the implement bristles with many close-set 

 hairs or spines, forming a sort of brush, but pointing in 

 the opposite direction. 



Each main tooth of the edge-series is cut into one or 

 two minute toothlets on its posterior side (next the base of 

 the saw) and about half a dozen on its opposite side (next 

 the tip). The texture is clear and colorless where thin; 

 but in the thickened parts, as the main teeth, the trans- 

 verse ridges, and the back, it is a clear amber-yellow; the 

 strengthening back-piece deepening to a rich translucent 

 brown. 



There is, however, in this species of mine a second set 

 of implements of which the French naturalist, observant 

 as he was, takes not the slightest notice; and his English 

 commentator appears to have as little suspected its pres- 

 ence. This pair of saws that we have been looking at is 

 but the sheath of a still finer pair of lancets or saws, which 

 you may see here. These are much slenderer than the for- 

 mer, and are peculiar in their construction. Their extreme 



