404 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



diversified with some white spots, arranged as shown in tlie 

 illustration. The large s})ot, however, on the upper edge of 

 the wing is not white, but rich golden yellow, for which reason 



FiG. 190. — liracon aureoiiiaculatum. (New species.) 

 (Black; wings brown witli yellow spots.) 



I have given to the insect the specific name of aureomaculatam, 

 i.e. " spotted with gold." The ovipositor is of enormous length. 



All who have lived in the country and used their eyes must 

 be familiar with the curious excrescences called galls, which 

 appear upon the leaves, branches, and even roots of trees. These 

 galls are produced by a group of insects called, scientifically, 

 Cynipides, and popularly known as Gall Flies. 



The process is almost exactly like that by which the Ichneu- 

 mon Flies deposit their eggs in the bodies of other insects. The 

 mother Gall Fly pierces with her ovipositor the leaf, twig, or 

 bark, inserts the egg, and injects at the same time a small drop 

 of a fluid which produces very extraordinary effects. That 

 portion of the plant which comes in contact with the liquid is 



