Hexopod A. INSE CTS . H ymenoptee a . cclx xi 
flowers carefully introduced for the several larvae to 
subsist upon until they are mature. 'I'he Ceratina, 
a smaller borer, is an interesting- example, found on 
tlie syringa, elder and blackberry. It bores into the 
substance of the wood and lines the cells with silk. 
The stages of existences are very short. Dr. Harris 
relates that he knew of one that laid her eggs in the 
hollow of an aster-stalk on May 15; three perfect 
Insects were disclosed from it July 28Lh. “Late in 
the spring,” says Dr. Packard, “the female builds 
her cells, fills them witii pollen, and lays one or more 
eggs upon each one. Thus, in about two months, 
the Insect completes its transformations; within this 
period passing through the egg, the larval and chry- 
salid states, and then, as a Bee, living tlirough the 
winter. Its life tlius spans one year.” Many other 
interesting forms, having similar habits, are common 
to our country-side; the Leaf-cutter Bee (Mega- 
chile) and Mason Bee (Osmia) both building and 
weaving silken upholstery for their interiors. 
Family VESPARLF {Wasps) comprise about 
nine hundred species. The higher forms are social 
in habit, and build papery domiciles. The lower are 
solitary, building nests in mud or sand, in the form 
of single cells. The Paper-wasps build a series of 
cells, with or without a papery covering, and usually 
supported by a short pedicle. 'I’he largest, and also 
most common, of our species is the Spotted Wasp 
(Vespa maculata); the Yellow Wasp (V. arenaria) is 
another of similar dimensions. 'J’hese build papery 
nests, consisting of several galleries. Like the Bees, 
the Wasps have parasitic pests to annoy them and 
feed upon their stores. Wasps are omnivorous to a 
great extent, but they are also savagely carnivorous. 
In the early summer they feed much on the sweets of 
flowers, but later they attack other Insects, and the 
Honey Bee especially, as it returns laden with pollen 
from the fields. They tear the abdomen from the 
rest of the body and feed on the juices. In this 
encounter the Wasp and Hornets use their jaws, 
cutting the wings from Plies, and even Butterflies, to 
devour the trunk. 
Family GRABRONID/E [Sand-wasps, Wood- 
wasps). — 'I'hese, as a group, exhibit more independ- 
ence of action; they build nests or cells in cylindri- 
cal holes in rotten wood, or they enlarge nail holes 
wherein to construct cells for their eggs. The spe- 
cies are very numerous in North America. Nysson- 
idcB, Bembecidw and Larridm are allied to this family, 
but not largely represented in species. 
Family SDHEGID/E. — Species of this family are 
very ornamental in stripes and colors, and are armed 
with powerful stinging apparatus. The cells are pro- 
vided with a store of living Insects for the suste- 
nance of the larva when it comes to the eating stage. 
'I’he Wasp stings its victim or prey, but this does not 
kill ; thus the larvtB have awaiting them living food, 
as the wounded insect lives some days after confine- 
ment. 'I'he beautiful blue and metallic green species, 
with golden wings (Chlorion) are closely allied. 
Family POMBILiDAl. — About seven hundred 
species are known, spread over a wide range, from the 
temperate zone to the tropics. Like the preceding. 
they store their nests — usually built in the sand — 
with Insects wounded by their stings. 'I'he Pompilus 
formosus is called in 'I’exas the 'I'arantula-killer, from 
the fact that it deliberately attacks that formidable 
Spider — the Mygale hentzi. Dr. Lincecum states 
that it paralyzes the Spider by its sting, and, punc- 
turing it, lays an egg, and buries the creature five 
inches in the soil. 
Family FORMIGARIyE [Ants). — Nearly one 
thousand species of Ants have been described, and 
over two hundred species of the genus Formica. A 
curious form, found in 'I'exas, called Honey Ant 
(Myrniecocystus mexicanus), has the abdomen dis- 
tended into a large globose, bladder-like form. An 
agreeable drink is made from its honey by the Mexi- 
cans. Dr. Lincecum describes the habits of the Ag- 
ricultural Ant (.Myrmica molefaciens). “It lives in 
populous communities, building mounds, in which 
they construct neat cells, wherein they place their 
eggs and stores of grain. 'I'he grain-bearing grass 
(Aristida stricta) grows near, and all other green 
growth is cleared away by the Ants, excepting this, 
which bears a small grain that they gather and store 
away for food.” Several other very remarkable forms 
are known in the tropical portions of America, the 
habits of which would require volumes to describe. 
'I’he families Ghrysididw and Ichneumonidm follow 
here. 'I’he latter are regarded as very useful to the 
agriculturist, as they destroy Caterpillars in great num- 
bers, by puncturing them and laying their eggs within, 
to be hatched and there find sustenance. 'There have 
been two thousand species described in J^urope, and 
it is thought that there are quite as many here. 
Family GYNIPIDyE [Gall-flies) is an interesting- 
group which includes Insects that puncture leaves 
and deposit their eggs within. Galls are developed 
by an extraordinary change in the vegetable fibre, 
and the young Insect or larva eats the green sub- 
stance that has grown around him in his egg-exist- 
ence ; after which he eats his way to the outer world. 
Baron Osten Sacken bestowed great attention to 
these forms, as well as to the Diptera, and has given 
his large collection of North A.merican Insects to the 
American Museum, Central Park, New York, where 
an excellent opportunity is offered for their study. 
Family 'TEUTHREDINIDH5 (Saw-flies). — 'These 
connect naturally the Ilynienoptera with the Lepi- 
doptera. 'The larviE resemble those of the latter, but 
the perfect Insect is like the former. 'I’he Pear-slug 
is a familiar example of the larva. Other slimy crea- 
tures, not pleasing to look iqion, are found cutting 
the rose leaves. Most singular examples of care for 
their young- are told. It is said the female sits watch- 
ing- the hatching of the eggs, and thereafter guards 
the larvie from parasitic or other enemies. Some 
species are found attacking the pine trees. 'The Pine 
Saw-fly (Lophyrus) has proved very destructive to 
young pines. 
Family UROCERIDyE (Hoi-iitoiZs), so called from 
the prominent horn situated on the abdomen of 
the males. An ovipositor extends beyond the horn. 
'J’hey are especially destructive to young trees, par- 
ticularly pines and firs, by piercing them. 
