94 HYMENOPTERA. 



a coating of mud. In addition to the new parasite, I also 

 obtained from nests of the same spider a number of Pezo- 

 machus fasciatus. Out of sixty nests not more than one-third 

 have developed spiders or parasites ; at the end of October 

 I examined the greater portion of the remainder, and ascer- 

 tained that they contain living larvae of one of the parasites - 3 

 not one containing spiders or spiders' eggs. 



Since the preceding remarks were forwarded for the press, 

 a paper by Mr. S. Stone has been read at a meeting of the 

 Entomological Society, in which the deposition of eggs by 

 worker-wasps is apparently proved ; but only workers were 

 developed, not a single male ; the observations, therefore, of 

 Mr. Stone and Dr Ormerod do not coincide in their re- 

 sults. It becomes consequently evident, that although a new 

 phase in the history of the wasp appears to present itself, 

 much further, and still more careful observations must be 

 made, before it can possibly be expected to meet with even 

 a favourable reception. Many will doubtless at once reject 

 the theory as absurd, without subjecting it to the test of per- 

 sonally endeavouring to arrive at more satisfactory results ; 

 probably, every one must receive it with some degree of 

 doubt ; this however will not quench the desire of the true 

 naturalist, to use every means in his power to arrive at the 

 truth ; for my own part, I shall use every exertion to obtain, 

 by personal observation, such evidence as may enable me 

 to clear away the difficulties which at present surround the 

 subject j and, if possible, to prove the accuracy of previous 



