49 



Genus LV. SIREX. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna filiform, with more than 24 articula- 

 tions. Mouth armed with two strong jaws. 

 Palpi four, the hind ones the longest; thick 

 towards the tip. Sting projecting, strong, 

 stiff) and serrated. Abdomen slender and 

 terminating in a point or spine, from which 

 the sting projects. Wings lanceolate, or 

 pointed at the extremities, flat, not folded. 



General Observalio?is, 



The larvae of these insects live in decayed 

 vegetables. They have six feet, and are soft 

 and of a cylindrical shape. The chrysalis en- 

 closed in a case, resembles the perfect insect, 

 with the limbs in a contracted state, and with- 

 out wings. The sting of the Sirex is formi- 

 dable ; and one in particular, the Sirex Spec* 

 trum, w T hich is very vigorous, and is found in 

 putrid wood, especially of the pine and fir, is 

 said to sting with such force, as to pierce one's 

 VOL. II, F 



