H YME NOPTERA , 
27 
golden-green. It occurs on the shores of the Mediterranean, and is also found 
in Asia. It is one of the largest of the European forms. Among these, the 
burnished blue wasp (Chrysis cyanea) is universally distributed throughout the 
whole of Europe. The females lay their eggs in the larvae of those species of 
Hymenoptera which make their nests in bramble-stems. The common golden 
wasp (G. ignita ) may be seen flying in search for the larvae of Hymenoptera, 
whose burrows are made in old posts, walls, sand-pits, and other such places. Of 
the royal gold-wasp (Hedychrum lucidulum), another of the commoner and more 
beautiful species, a figure appears in the accompanying illustration. In the same 
BURNISHED AND GOLD WASPS. 
1, Golden burnished wasp ; 2, Burnished blue wasp ; 3, Common gold wasp ; 4, Royal gold wasp, female ; 
5, Brazen-tailed wasp. 
illustration is also shown the brazen-tailed wasp (Elampus ceneus), of which the 
female deposits her eggs in the grub of a small species of the Sphegidce. 
The Ants, —Family FoiimiciDjE. 
The ants bring us to the section Aculeata, the members of which differ from 
the preceding section in that the females are furnished with a retractile sting in 
place of an ovipositor. As a family, ants are characterised by having the first 
segment of the abdomen and sometimes also the second reduced in size to form a 
stalk for the rest of the abdomen. The workers, moreover, are without wings. 
On account of their remarkable habits and intelligence, these insects demand a 
fuller notice than is accorded to other groups. As regards their visual powers, 
ants are very sensitive. While disliking any strong light suddenly thrown into 
their nests, they prefer rays transmitted through a red medium, but object more 
to those coming through green and yellow, while those through a violet medium 
they abhor. Though sight is well developed, hearing seems much less so; vibra¬ 
tions of the air produced by tuning-forks, violin strings, or whistling, being little 
heeded. Neither has any sound emitted by the ants themselves been detected, 
even with the most sensitive instruments. The sense of smell is evidently keen, 
for brushes dipped in scent arouse distinct curiosity. When the scent left in its 
tract by an ant is obliterated, the ants next following are baffled, like hounds at 
fault, until, after a little casting about, they pick it up on the other side. I11 
seeking for an object of whose existence and position they are aware, ants make 
