DRYINUS PEDESTRIS. 221 



disappearing in the interior ; so that I could not observe its 

 subsequent proceedings, and being obliged to turn homewards, 

 I left them undisturbed. I think, however, it will seem 

 probable that the bore of the reed was employed instead of 

 an artificial funnel, for the cells which should contain the 

 progeny of the Bethylus, with its store of provision. If these 

 insects select only full grown caterpillars, I can scarcely 

 imagine one of the smaller individuals a managing these un- 

 wieldy bodies. 



2. Dryinus pedestris. — The first time I met with this 

 species, it was in company with some Myrmicce, (not M. rubra) 

 under a stone, in a chalky lane, near Darentwood. In this 

 island, its haunts are on the sand-hills of the coast, among 

 which Formica emarginata swarms. The Dryinus, which 

 is not dissimilar in form and colour, moves among them dis- 

 tinguished by its hitching gait, produced by the enormous 

 length of the coxae and trochanteres of its fore legs ; it can 

 run pretty fast, however. What is the nature of its society 

 with the ants ? I witnessed an occurrence which shews that 

 it is not always quite amicable. Four ants were bearing off 

 one of the Dryini quite alive and vigorous, though not able 

 to struggle much in their gripe; my approach disturbing them, 

 three scampered off, but the fourth, more determined, held 

 on ; the Dryinus, however, as soon as she got fair play, 

 shewed fight, and though her small jaws seem ill calculated 

 to match those of an ant, the battle was maintained without 

 any visible advantage, the combatants rolling and tumbling 

 over in the most approved Kentucky fashion. I have not 

 yet detected the male of this insect, having only been able 

 to visit the spot where it occurs, one morning this summer, 

 and that a very unfavourable day, so that I still hope by a 

 future search to obtain it. 



A. H. Haliday. 



3, New Cumberland-street, Dublin. 



a The Belhyli vary exceedingly in size, the smaller individuals have the head 

 narrower, and the wings usually very imperfect (B. Syngenesis-, n.) ; but the 

 varieties are so indefinite, that I am disposed to refer them all to one species, 

 B. punctatus, Latr. 



