clxxviii On Vespa vulgaris and V. Germanica. 



tinct transverse mark on the lower margin. The lateral dots on the 

 abdomen are very seldom united to the transverse bands; still, in rare 

 instances, they are so, on the second and third segments. 



Male. — Length 5j — 7 lines. The description of var. 5 of V. vulga- 

 ris exactly corresponds with that of the male of V. Germanica. The 

 clypeus has sometimes a single dot in the centre, or a line running 

 half way down, or a line and also a dot beneath it, and sometimes a 

 minute dot on each side at its apex. 



s:~? 



r^~\ 



a. The coronet-shaped yellow spot above the clypeus in Vespa vulgaris, male. The double curved line un- 



der each is the outline of the base of the clypeus. 



b. The coronet of the same species, showing the manner in which the two spots, beneath in the above figure, 



are sometimes united. 



c. The coronet in the worker. 



d. A variety which frequently occurs. 



e. The coronet in V. Germanica, male. 

 /. The same part in the worker. 



g. The sexual organs of the male of V. vulgaris, viewed from above. 

 h. The same parts of the male of V. Germanica, also viewed from above. 



I have found it necessary to redescribe, with some care, all the vari- 

 eties of V. vulgaris which commonly occur, whilst the description of 

 V. Germanica only points out those particulars in which it will be 

 found to differ from the former ; and, should it be considered that I 

 have been too prolix in so doing, I would call to mind an observation 

 on the difficulties which the student has to contend with in the inves- 

 tigation of these insects ; this I extract from one of the best entomo- 

 logical works which has been produced in this country, — - the ' Intro- 

 duction to the Modern Classification of Insects,' by J. O. Westwood, 

 Esq., President of the Entomological Society. He says, — " The spe- 

 cific differences of the British species of wasps require a more minute 

 investigation than has hitherto been given to them. This can only be 

 done by studying the habits of the different species, in conjunction 

 with individuals of the different sexes from the nests of each." 



