132 HYMENOPTERA. 



series of both sexes were taken at Bournemouth ; it may be 

 found on most of the heaths in that neighbourhood ; it is 

 extremely active, and somewhat difficult to capture. 



31ellimis m^vensis. — This is one of the most abundant 

 members of the tribe Fossores; its usual habit has been 

 repeatedly published ; it preys upon flies, and may be com- 

 monly observed resorting to the droppings of cows, in search 

 of its prey ; if is one of the most wary and talented of all 

 its fraternity ; were it at once to attempt, by a sudden leap, 

 to dart upon its victim, ten to one it would fail to secure it ; 

 no, it does no such thing, it wanders about in a sort of inno- 

 cent, unconcerned way, amongst the deluded flies, until safe 

 opportunity presents itself, when its prey is taken without 

 any chance of failure ; such is its ordinary mode of pro- 

 ceeding. At Bournemouth, the flies are more active, more 

 difficult to capture, or have they unmasked the treacherous 

 31ellinus? and it is found necessary to adopt some fresh con- 

 trivance in order to accomplish its ends ? if so, it is not defi- 

 cient in devices. I noticed once or twice, what I took to be a 

 dead specimen of 3fellimis, lying on patches of cow-dung; 

 but, on attempting to pick them up, off" they flew ; I at 

 once suspected the creature, and had not long to wait before 

 my suspicions were confirmed. Another, apparently dead 

 fellow, was observed ; and there, neither moving hand or 

 foot, the treacherous creature lay, until a fine specimen of a 

 blue-bottle ventured within its grasp, — active as any puss, t 

 Mellinus started into life, and pounced upon its victim. 



Vespid^. 



So many reports of the scarcity of wasps have appeared, 



and so many private communications have I received to the 



same effect, that we may conclude (I think, correctly) that 



any counter report is only a slight exception to a general 



