104 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



down its centre, but is not, in any instance, 

 divided transversely. 



346. An infinite number of descriptions refer 

 to the parts now under consideration ; and it is, 

 therefore, essential that we thoroughly understand 

 them : let us take a hornet in hand, and examine 

 them. 



347. A hornet is nearly nipped in two in the 

 middle by the smallness of the podeon ; the part 

 below is now generally termed the body, formerly, 

 the abdomen ; both names are used in descrip- 

 tions : the part above the podeon, between that 

 segment and the head, is often called the thorax ; 

 its parts are these : 



348. Adjoining the head is the scutum of 

 the prothorax (prothoracis scutum) ; this is, cen- 

 trally, a very narrow piece, but extends and 

 widens on each side nearly to the base of the 

 fore wings. 



349. Adjoining this is a large triangular piece, 

 the apex of the triangle almost touching the head 

 of the insect, and its base being below the inser- 

 tion of the fore wings, and extending across the 

 insect from side to side : this is the scutum of 

 the mesothorax (mesothoracis scutum). 



350. At the base of each fore wing, between it 

 and each lateral angle of the scutum of the meso- 

 thorax, is a small raised lump : these are called 

 little scales (squamulce). 



351. Immediately following the scutum of the 



