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HYMENOPTEEA. 



Notes on Hymenoptera. 



By Frederick Smith. 



In recording the discoveries of Hymenopterous insects 

 during the past season, it occurs to me, that great expecta- 

 tions will very naturally arise in the minds of many Ento- 

 mologists in consequence'of the remarkable summer of 1868 ; 

 its tropical character, continued even up to the commence- 

 ment of autumn, will long be remembered. Three months 

 of uninterrupted fine weather, together with a continuance 

 of almost tropical heat, is rarely registered in the Entomo- 

 logical Calendar. 



The practical observation of the habits of Hymenopterous 

 insects is in so great a degree dependant upon weather, 

 suitable for that purpose, as, in itself, to determine with 

 tolerable precision the success that will attend the labour of 

 the Hymenopterist. 



Experience has shown, that the extremes both of heat, 

 cold, or wet, are alike unsuited to the development of Hy- 

 menopterous insects, and it would be difficult to decide 

 which of these extremes is most destructive to insect life. The 

 extreme of heat was experienced during the past summer, 

 and the result of the season's campaign proves, I think, the 

 ti-uth of my opinion. 



There are one or two effects of the character of the oast 



1869. F 



