92 The Rev. Wm. Kirpy on a new Order of Insects. 
terminates in an acute point, which stands at right angles nearly 
with its longer part or shaft* : but without seeing the other sex 
I cannot determine what it is. Is it a kind of aculeus for depo- 
siting its eggs in the larva Vespa}? for it is in the larva that the 
eggs are probably deposited T.—T he Stylops of the wasp has no 
mouth that I could find ; there is indeed a depression a little an- 
terior to the maxillee$ (Mandibule in Fabrician dialect), but it is 
transverse! It therefore probably does not feed in the perfect 
state, like some Phalena, and only continues the species. There 
is one particular in its manners which tends to strengthen this 
opinion. I have noticed in many PAalene elingues, and indeed 
in some others, but especially in those, that, whenever they alight, 
their wings are continually in a tremulous motion, particularly in 
the males, whether the insect is running briskly or standing still. 
These, be assured, are the tremblings of eager desire. So my 
Stylops, which I confined under a watch-crystal, coursed round 
its prison with surprising trepidation as long as it lived, which 
was but a few hours. This insect is so exceedingly uncommon 
in its structure, that I know not in what class (order) to place it, 
till I have seen both sexes, and examined more insects than I 
have yet been able to do.—* Mihi contuenti, says Pliny, * per- 
suasit res ipsa nature, incredibile nihil existimare de ed.” What can 
* See Tas. VIII. fig. 14. Tas. IX. fig. 14. 15. 
T From this organ, which seems rather an oviduct, I apprehend Professor Peck's speci- 
mens were females. 
1 Reasoning from analogy, it seems not probable, though I formerly inclined to this 
opinion, that the egg should be laid in the wasp in its first state, and the larva feed on it 
in its last. Rossi, however, was of this opinion ; for, speaking of his Xenos Vesparum, he 
says, “ Cui vespee larva antequam cellule clauderentur forte incunabula dedisse videtur." 
$ Mr. Spence and myself, in compliance with the custom universally adopted abroad, 
though we are of opinion that the terms should rather be reversed, in order to prevent the 
 eonfusion which must arise from employing different words in different countries to denote 
the same parts, have agreed to use Mandibula and Maxilla in the Fabrician sense. 
be 
