INSECTS : STINGS AND OVIPOSITOES. 133 



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, difficult 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, pointing at a very acute 

 angle towards the tip 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 an opposite 

 direction. 



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

 two minute toothlets on its posterior side (next the base 



OUTER SAW OF SAW-FLY. 



a. A portion more enlarged. 



of the saw) and about half-a-dozen on its opposite side 

 (next the tip). The texture is clear and colourless where 

 thin ; but in the thickened parts, as the main teeth, the 

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

 the strengthening back-piece deepening to a rich trans- 

 lucent 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 



