AT THE MICROSCOPE. 37 



the under-surface of the right tarsus and tibia. By turning it over, 

 the three joints, in which so unusual an enlargement has taken 

 place, may be well seen. A few thoughts on the arrangement of 

 the suckers will not be without interest. We find, then, in the 

 first place, two very large ones, the greatest size by far being 

 with the inner one. On the joint bearing these are 40 more — i.e., 

 2x10x2:= 40; the second joint has also 40, 2x10x2, again ; 

 the third joint has 60 — i.e., 2 x 10 x 3 = 60. The two distal tarsal 

 joints have nothing very special about them (as we say). The 

 limbs of the second pair in the male Dytiscus are also furnished 

 with a beautiful apparatus of sucking discs, the arrangement of 

 which, however, I have not counted. 



Tong^ue of RMiigia (PI. VII., Fig. 3). — This compares in- 

 structively with that of Drone-fly, to be found in most cabinets. 

 "The proboscis is long, membranous, elbowed near the base, ter- 

 minated by two large labial lobes (under lip), and enclosing in a 

 channel on the upper surface four setse, viz. : — a long, horny, 

 upper lip, hollow, and notched at the tip (labrum) ; a pair of 

 slender, acute maxillge, and a slender, acute tongue ; at the base of 

 the maxillae is also attached a pair of small, inarticulate palpi, 

 thickened at the tips." Is it not a beautiful description ? It 

 would not be possible to put it into different or fewer words with- 

 out loss or injury. It is from Westwood, Vol. II., p. 556. Then 

 we read, " These insects are either of a moderate or large size, 

 and generally of variegated colours ; they are very, very numer- 

 ous ; many species so much resemble humble-bees, wasps, and 

 other Diptera, that they are constantly mistaken for them by 

 the inexperienced. In one genus, Vohicella, this similarity to the 

 humble-bees is of eminent service to the insects, which deposit 

 their eggs in the nests of those bees, an admirable provision of 

 nature, since, as Kirby and Spence observe, " Did these intruders 

 venture them.selves among the humble-bees in a less kindred form, 

 their lives would probably pay the forfeit for their presumption." 

 Truly, the ways of God are past finding out. Yet are we permit- 

 ted to see a fittle of them, and admire that we may love. 



My attention was caught in crossing Frensham Common the 

 other evening by what looked vastly like a humble-bee, yet was 

 there somewhat of difference in the flight, the mode of settling 

 down, and slowly hugging the heather-bloom. I felt sure it must 

 be what I had been so earnestly desiring to obtain — a Vohicella. 

 I succeeded in capturing it, and bore away my prize with great 

 delight. 



There are but five species in the genus, so any individual can 

 easily be named. Now, look you ! these flies are so much like 

 humble-bees, that the bees themselves appear unable to see the 



