Source

Edward Saunders, Wild Bees, Wasps and Ants and Other Stinging Insects (public domain). Text available via Project Gutenberg.

Passage

I think I ought here to say why I propose to limit myself to an account of a certain portion only of the Hymenoptera. The reason for this, in the first place, is that the section which I have selected is the only one of which I have any special knowledge; it consists of the bees, wasps, ants and sandwasps, four groups which make up the stinging section of the order, or, more accurately, which have poison bags connected with their egg-laying apparatus or ovipositor.

Another reason for their selection lies in their nesting habits; these enable one to get a further insight into their economy and ways than can be obtained from those of almost any other group or order. At any rate they make them comparatively easy to study; one can, so to say, find these little creatures at home, whereas in most orders there seems to be no definite home to which the individuals may be traced. A great advantage also in selecting the stinging groups for study is that they are creatures of the spring and summer, and of the sunshine, so that the weather which tempts them out to their duties is of the kind most agreeable to those who wish to investigate their habits.

Although these groups are distinguished by their stinging habits, it is only the female that possesses a sting; the male is a most harmless creature and quite incapable of injuring any one. A male wasp or even a male hornet may be handled with absolute impunity, only it is wise to be certain as to the sex of the individual before presuming to play with it too much.

The fossors, or “diggers,” have all comparatively short and bifid tongues, and have, as a rule, little in the way of hairy covering. The hind legs of the females are not modified in any way so as to enable them to collect pollen; their legs are usually long and slender, and they are admirably adapted to their life habits of hunting spiders, insects, and similar prey for their young.

On the other hand, the Anthophila or “flower-lovers,” are specially adapted for pollen collecting. Their tongues vary from a short form like that of some fossors to the long tongues of the humble bees. Their hairs are branched on some part of the body, and the hind legs of the females in most species are provided on the tibia or shin with a special brush on which pollen may be collected.

Vocabulary

Word / Phrase Meaning TOEFL Note
limit myself to restrict my attention to Useful when an author narrows the scope of a topic.
Hymenoptera an insect order including bees, wasps, and ants Scientific classification terms often define the passage topic.
insight into a deeper understanding of Common phrase for explaining why evidence is valuable.
economy and ways organization and habits Here economy means system of life, not money.
impunity freedom from harm or punishment Often appears in claims about safety or risk.
bifid divided into two parts A technical adjective that can be inferred from context.
adapted to suited for a particular function Key phrase for biology and evolution passages.

Sentence Work

Another reason for their selection lies in their nesting habits; these enable one to get a further insight into their economy and ways than can be obtained from those of almost any other group or order.

The semicolon links a claim with its explanation. The first clause gives the reason Saunders chose these insects: their nests. The second clause explains the value of that reason: nests let the observer study behavior more directly than with insects that have no fixed home. In TOEFL reading, this sentence would support a purpose question about why the author narrows the subject.

On the other hand, the Anthophila or “flower-lovers,” are specially adapted for pollen collecting.

On the other hand marks contrast with the fossors. The sentence shifts from insects built for hunting to insects built for pollen collection, so the reader should expect differences in tongues, hairs, and legs to become evidence for different functions.

Structure Notes

Saunders organizes the passage by moving from scope to evidence. First, he explains why he will discuss only a portion of the insect order. Next, he gives a practical reason: nesting habits make these insects easier to observe. Then he corrects a possible misconception about stings by separating males from females. Finally, he compares two groups, fossors and Anthophila, by linking body structure to behavior. The passage is therefore not a list of facts; it is a controlled narrowing of a scientific subject.

Writing Takeaway

When introducing a complex topic, first explain the boundary of your discussion and the reason for that boundary. A focused scope makes later details feel purposeful instead of random.