of the Oil Beetle, Meloé. 329 
long ago* showed that one of the Ichneumonide, a new species, which he 
figured and described as Anomalon vesparum, Curt., is parasitic on the larva of 
the wasp in its cell. Since then, Rhipiphorus paradoxus, the usual parasite of 
the wasp's nest, has been stated by Mr. Hope to be itself attacked by an Ano- 
malon, probably Mr. Curtis's species, and this to become the prey of one of the 
minute Chalcidide+. Whether any of the true Mordelle are parasitic is not 
yet ascertained. "The aculeated form of body, so admirably fitted for piercing 
hard substances and introducing ova into the cells of other insects,—as the 
parasitic Celyorys{, among bees, introduces its egg into the nest of Saropoda, 
—leads us to suspect the Mordelle of these habits, although the contrary has 
been stated of some of them. 
From this comparison of species, we find that those which most nearly 
approach to Meloé in the form of the imago, also most closely resemble it in 
the larva state, both in general strueture and habit; while those which differ 
most in the form of the imago, do so likewise in the anatomy and economy of 
the larva. 
This view of the relation which the habits of species bear to their pecu- 
liarities of organization, leads us to an examination of that anomalous order 
of insects, the Strepsiptera. These have many analogies with Meloé, both in 
their organization in the larva state and in their habits. They compose a 
very distinct group, members of which have been found in almost all parts of 
the world, and every one of which is a parasite. As I shall have occasion, in 
my attempts to point out the analogies of form and peculiarities of structure 
connected with special habits, to compare the form and economy of the early 
stages of the Strepsiptera and the Meloé, and to identify these with correspond- 
ing associations of form and habit in the truly parasitic Anoplura, it may be 
well first to give some general view of the facts known of the habits and struc- 
ture of the Strepsiptera, more especially of their larva State, preparatory to a 
future examination of the special anatomy of Meloé. 
* British Entomology, fol. 198, Jan. 1, 1828, 
t Trans. Ent. Soc. Lond. vol. iii. part 1. (Proceed. p. iii. June 4, 1838.) 
i Newport Proceedings Entom. Soc. Lond p. 109, Jul ; i 
; i : s » July Ist, 1844; and President’ iv " 
Address 1845, 8vo, p. 12. Ro ct 
