ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES. 515 



Natural Order. — Cynipites, Newman. 

 Genus. — Figites. 



Fig. Syrphi. Niger; tibiis, tarsis, antennisque medio piceis. 



Brilliant shining black : antennae, with the basal and second joint, 

 black ; the four following joints pitchy red, and the apical portion 

 black ; the tibiae and tarsi are pitchy red ; the wings transparent, 

 slightly suffused with brown, darker across the middle ; their 

 expansion is about four lines ; the length of the body is about 

 two lines. 



This species does not quite agree with Latreille's description 

 of Figites Scutellaris of Rossi, and Mr. Walker tells me that 

 he thinks it is not that species ; I have therefore ventured to 

 describe it previously to making the following note. I do not 

 recollect ever seeing any printed account of the economy of 

 this genus, and I believe it is generally concluded that Figites, 

 like Cynips, is a maker of galls, but this conclusion does not 

 seem founded on observation. I was examining a fine bed of 

 stinging nettles with Mr. Ingall, in September last, in order to 

 find the pupae of Atalanta, which abounded there; we observed 

 numbers of the larvae of Syrphus Ribesii feeding very quietly 

 on Aphites. Mr. Ingall called my attention to one of the 

 larvae, which appeared to have something unusual attached to 

 it ; in trying to part this something from the larva, I drew out 

 a Hymenopterous insect of considerable magnitude, but un- 

 fortunately had handled it so roughly as to spoil it for a cabinet 

 specimen. The next day I observed another of the larvae in 

 the same plight, and determined to watch the progress of 

 events. I had the satisfaction to see a beautiful Figites 

 emerge from the back of the larva, its head being towards the 

 larva's tail ; when it was quite disengaged, the poor Syri>hus 

 still retained life, though reduced to little more than skin. As 

 soon as the Figites had expanded and dried his wings, and 

 prepared for flight, I secured him. 



Class. — Lepidoptera. 



Natural Order. — Papilionites, Newman. 

 Genus. — Polyommatus. 



From examining specimens of Polyommatus Agestis from 

 different localities, I have arrived at a conclusion which will 



