1 84 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



ovules of which it fertilises ; and then the growth of the fruit 

 proceeds rapidly. 



The so-called Dead Sea fruits are galls which have been 

 produced by a Cynips. 



THE PARASITIC HYMENOPTERA. 



{IchneumonidcE, Chalcididce, Prodetrupida:, ) 



The parasitic Hymenoptera form a little world of themselves, 

 and they have the same habits, instincts, and metamorphoses, 

 although their numbers are enormous. They form the insect 

 array which Nature employs to check the superabundant multi- 

 plication of the phytophagous or vegetable-feeding creatures of 

 the class. Every parasite attacks a particular species or some 

 closely allied kinds, in obedience to some mysterious law; and 

 many an unfortunate caterpillar is subject to the violence of 

 several of these dangerous enemies. Nearly every insect has 

 more than one parasite, and this fact enables us to estimate the 

 multitudes of Hymenoptera that are in the world. 



These Hymenoptera belong to three very distinct Tiypes ; but 

 each of them has females which are furnished with a straight, 

 thin, and sharp ovipositor. These parasites are very pretty and 

 elegantly formed insects when in the adult form, and are gifted 

 with great agility and restlessness. But in their early condition 

 they cannot move, having no locomotive organs, and their 

 structures are so soft that they are destroyed with the greatest 

 ease. The larvae look like worms or maggots, and do not attain 

 a great perfection of development during their growth. The 

 contrast between the lazy and sluggish larva of the active and 

 restless adults of the parasitic Hyjnenoptera is almost as great as 

 that of the larva and the imago of the industrious Hymenoptera, 

 such as the bees. 



All the parasites seek out a caterpillar, a larva, or an insect 

 which suits their purpose, in order to lay an o^^^ within its body. 

 A larva which is born from this &^^ is nourished by the blood 

 and fat of the victim, whose vital organs it does not touch or 

 injure in any way, for were it to die the parasite would come to 



