HYMENOPTERA. 379 
of a bramble or briar (Fig. 3858) with a mortar which it pre- 

Fig. 355.—A species of Odynerus. Fig. 356.—Larva of the Fig. 357.—Pupa of 
Odynerus. the Odyrerus. 
pares. The larva (Fig. 356) lines its cell with a silky cocoon. 
It is the last egg laid which is 
hatched the first; then come the 
others, in an inverse order from 
that in which they were deposited. 
If it had been in the other order, ( | 
the insects could not have come Fig. 358.—Nest of an Odynerus in the stem 
out of the cells without destroy- pre ; 
ing on their way the less advanced pupa. 


































ANTS. 
The habits of the Ants are as remarkable as the habits of the 
bees. In their marvellous republics each one has his fixed duties 
to perform, of which he acquits himself willingly and without 
constraint. In consequence of their habits of foresight and fru- 
gality, ease reigns in the dwellings of these little animals, which 
become attached to their nest by a feeling of patriotism. Woe 
betide him who disturbs them in their occupations, or destroys 
their house. Like bees, they form a regular republic, composed 
—first, of males; secondly, of females; thirdly, of neuters, or 
workers. We shall see, further on, the labours and the part 
played by each one of these three orders of the republic. Let 
us speak first of the species. 
Ants are divided into a great number of species, which have 
been carefully described by De Geer, Latreille, and Francis Huber, 
the son of the celebrated blind man who wrote the history of bees. 
All these species have, however, some general traits in common, 
by which they may be easily distinguished from all other insects. 
