268 INDIRECT BENEFITS DERIVED FROM INSECTS. 



rum) ; and even while in the egg state (Ich. Ovidorum^ 

 L*.) ; but not, as far as is known, in perfect insects. The 

 eggs thus deposited soon liatch into grubs, wliich imme- 

 diately attack their victim, and in the end ensure its 

 destruction. The number of eggs committed to each 

 individual varies according to its size, and that of the 

 grubs which are to spring from them ; being in most 

 cases one only, but in others amounting to some hun- 

 dreds. 



From the observations hitherto made by entomolo- 

 gists, the great body of the Ichneumon tribe is principally 

 employed in keeping within their proper limits the in- 

 finite host of Icpidopterous larvas, destroying, however, 

 many insects of other orders; and perhaps if the larvae 

 of these last fell equally under our observation with those 

 of the former, we might discover that few exist unin- 

 fested by their appropriate parasite. Such is the activity 

 and address of the Ichneumonidans, and their minute 

 allies {Pupivora, Latr.), that scarcely any concealment, 

 except perhaps the waters, can secure their prey from 

 them ; and neither bulk, courage, nor ferocity avail to 

 terrify them from effecting their purpose. Tiiey attack 

 tlie ruthless spider in his toils ; they discover the retreat 

 of the little bee, that for safety bores deep into timber ; 

 and though its enemy Ichneumon cannot enter its cell, 

 by means of her long ovipositor'' she reaches the helpless 

 grub, which its parent vainly thought secured from every 

 foe, and deposits in it an egg, which produces a larva 



* Not having had it in my power to consult Dalnian's work on the 

 Ckalcidiics of Latrcillc, referred to by tiiat learned Entomologist in 

 liis Families Natiirclhs du Rcquc Animal, I am not able to refer tiiem 

 to their proper genera. ^ Pi.atj. W\. Fig. I. 



