a 8 Mr, Marsham'j Obfervations on 



it out, .and then opened the hole, which was clofed with a ftifF pellet 

 of turpentine. 



Each fucceeding year I had opportunities of feeing many of thefe 

 infects at work ; but on the 23d of July 1791, 1 again paid very par- 

 ticular attention to fome I faw in Kenfmgton gardens, but more im- 

 mediately to the action of the antennas, which they thruft into 

 many holes and crevices, but foon drew them out, not finding, I 

 prefume, a proper fituation for their eggs. I obferved one with its 

 tube inferted into the fide of a rail, which I watched with great 

 attention {fg. 4.) It had fixed itfelf over a fmall patch of reddifh 

 land that covered the hole of the Apis maxillofa^ three of its legs being 

 placed on each fide the fpot ; the abdomen was bent inward, lb that 

 the end of it was embraced by the hinder thighs, which kept it in a 

 Heady pofition,the whole tube being inferted in the rail. It frequent- 

 ly drew out the tube about J or \ of an inch, and thruft it in again 

 with great force ; in the interim between thefe thrufts, I could 

 plainly perceive a motion in the apex of the abdomen connected 

 with the tube fimilar to the pulfation of an artery, which mo- 

 tion ceafed whenever the action of the tube took place. This 

 pulfatory motion I conceive was occafioned by the eggs palling 

 from the body of the infect to the tube ; and 1 felt an inclination 

 to feize the little animal at the moment and examine the tube, 

 which is of a fine crimfon colour and femi-tranfparent, to fee if an 

 egg might remain in it: but an anxious defire to fee the whole of 

 its operation prevented me ; and when it had finilhed its work and 

 withdrawn the tube, it was too late, — Another particular inftance 

 of fagacity in this little animal is worthy of remark: the grooves or 

 cafes of the tube were as ufual projected in a ftraight line from the 

 abdomen ; but the wind being very powerful, rendered it difficult 

 for this delicate animal to maintain its fituation, as thefe long cafes, 



which 



