80 INSECTA. 
lips; but these wings, of which the superior are always largest, 
have fewer nervures than those of the Neuroptera, and are 
not veined; the abdomen of the females is terminated by an 
ovipositor or sting. 
Besides their compound eyes they are all provided with 
three small simple ones. Their antennz vary, not only ac- 
cording to the genus, but even in the sexes of the same spe- 
cies; generally, however, they are filiform orsetaceous. ‘The 
maxille and labium are usually narrow, elongated, and fixed 
in a deep cavity of the head by long muscles(1), form a semi- 
tube inferiorly, are frequently folded up at their extremity, 
and better adapted for the transmission of nutritious fluids 
than for mastication ; in several they form a proboscis. The 
ligula is membranous, either widened at its extremity, or long 
and filiform, having the pharynx at its anterior base, and being 
frequently covered by a sort of sub-labrum or epipharynx. 
They have four palpi, two maxillary and two labial. The 
thorax consists of three united segments, of which the anterior 
is very short and the two last are confounded in one(2). The 
wings are laid horizontally on the body. The abdomen is 
most commonly suspended by a little thread or pedicle to the 
posterior extremity of the thorax. ‘The tarsi consist of five 
entire joints, none of them being divided. ‘The ovipositor. 
and sting(3) are generally composed of three long and slender 
(1) The mentun, here, participates in this general motion, while in the other 
triturating Insects it is fixed and immovable. 
(2) The metathorax, properly so called, is very short, forms but a simple superior 
hoop, and is intimately united with the first segment of the abdomen, so that in 
truth, the thorax, viewed from above, is composed of four segments, the second 
and last of which are the largest; in a great number, the latter presents two very 
distinct stigmata. When the abdomen is pediculated, its second segment, always 
supposing the preceding one to belong to it, is apparently the first. 
(3) Both are formed on the same model. From the middle of the posterior and 
inferior extremity of the abdomen, proceed two lamine, each composed of two 
» pieces, sometimes valvular and serving as a sheath, and sometimes in the form ofa 
stylet or of palpi. Betweenthem are two other pieces united in one, which com- 
pose the ovipositor or sting. When they form asting, the superior receives the 
other in an inferior canal or groove. Inthe Tenthredinete, the ovipositor consists 
of two pieces, resembling blades of knives, applied one against the other by the 
side; they are striated transversely, and dentated along the margin. 
