70 HYMENOPTERA. 



the side and in front of the third and fourth segments of the 

 wasp grub, the Rliipiphorus was observed shining through 

 the skin ; the Rliipiphorus lai-va was also observed when 

 emerging from the wasp grub ; at the time of so doing it casts 

 a skin, together with the black head, legs, plates, &c. ; it then 

 moves onward to the anterior surface of the second segment of 

 the wasp, where it at once seizes hold, and, thus situated, it 

 feeds upon its victim until full grown, when it changes to the 

 pupa state and thence into its perfect condition. All the 

 parasites, the wasps of course also, emerge from the cells 

 during the autumn, and probably all of them quit the nest, 

 and, as Mr. Chapman is led to believe, the parasites hyber- 

 nate during the winter. The point therefore that requires 

 invcstiiration is the place and manner of oviposition of Rhi- 

 piylwrus; this point once obtained, the history of the para- 

 site will, have been pretty fully ascertained. Another season's 

 research will probably enable Mr. Chapman to complete this 

 link still wanting in the life-history of Rhipiphorus. 



