In the discussion of the characteristics, habits, number of species, and importance of the several groups, I follow, with such changes as the advances in the science of entomology have made necessary, the arrangement shown in Fig. 1. "Order HYMENOPTERA ([Greek: ymen], a membrane; [Greek: pteron], wing). Clear or Membrane-winged Flies: Bees, Wasps, Ants, Saw-flies, etc. Characterized by having four membranous wings with comparatively few veins, the hind part smallest. The transformations are complete: _i. e._, the larva bears no resemblance to the perfect insect. [Illustration: FIG. 4.--Bold-faced Hornet, _Vespa maculata_. (After Sanborn).] "Some of the insects of this order are highly specialized, and their mouth-parts are fitted both for biting and sucking, and in this respect they connect the mandibulate and haustellate insects. The common Honey-bee has this complex structure of the mouth, and if the editors of our agricultural papers would bear the fact in mind, we should have less of the never-ending discussion as to whether bees are capable of injuring fruit at first hand. The lower lip (_labium_) is modified into a long tongue, sheathed by the lower jaws (_maxillae_), and they can sip, or, more properly speaking, lap up nectar; while the upper jaws (_mandibulae_), though not generally used for purposes of manducation, are fitted for biting and cutting. The Hymenoptera are terrestrial, there existing only a very few degraded, swimming forms. [Illustration: FIG. 5.--An Ichneumon Parasite, _Pimpla annulipes_, showing male and female abdomen.] [Illustration: FIG. 6.--A Chalcid Parasite, _Chalcis flavipes_.]