]iKKS AM) TIIKIK COUMEKFEITS. 11 



it is blind ; l)iit, resting attached by the broad tail, it moves 

 its head i-apidly about as a feeler, before changing its position. 

 The sj)ikes at the tail may be ada])ted to enable it to raise 

 itself up the smooth sides of the cell of the bee larva, in ease 

 that one infant bee should pi'ove insufhcient, and that it might 

 require to pass on to the next cradle. But it may be as well 

 to describe the progress of the parasitic larva on the sup- 

 ])osition that one baby bee will prove enough for its purpose. 

 The devoted larva of the bee, then, is gradually eaten alive 

 by the parasite ; which, with seemingly horrible instinct, 

 spares all the actually vital parts, taking only the more tleshy 

 portions, until the carnivorous young Volucella feels itself full 

 fed and ready to undergo its torpid state of change. Then, 

 the last remains of the wretched infant bee are greedily con- 

 sumed, and the parasite passes into its sleepy chrysaline 

 stage, taking its long siesta in the comfortable cradle Avhose 

 infant tenant it has devoured, and from which it eventually 

 comes boldly forth in all the pride of its winged and perfect 

 state, walking out of the bee home as from its own proper 

 abode, and attracting no notice whatever from the bees, in 

 whose nursery it has performed the odious task of eating a 

 baby bee, and appropriating its comfortable cradle cell. The 

 stolid unconsciousness with Avhich the bees allow this insect 

 vampire to pass out and escape from the scene of his horritl 

 ])roceedings with impunity, has induced some naturalists to 

 believe that the carnivorous Volucella owes its safety to its 

 complete disguise in the colouring of the bee, which is sup- 

 j)osed to be so perfect as to deceive the bees themselves into 

 the belief that these strangers are members of their own 

 fi-aternity. Messrs. Kirby and Spence observe, ' did these 

 intruders venture themselves among humble-bees in a less 

 kindi-ed foi-m, their lives would probably pay the forfeit of 

 their j)re.sumption.' This statement, however, though ap- 

 jiearing so jilausible, is not borne out by analog}-, there being 

 many parasites on bees which do not bear the slightest re- 

 semblance to the insects whose nests they invade. Not only 

 ai-e some of the Diptera, who deposit their eggs in the nests 

 of bees, very unlike the bees Avhose homes they infest, but 



