EUCHARID.E. 



65 



Blastophaga are connecting links between Idarnes and Sycobia, 

 from which they differ in not having prominent mandibles. 



Idames Carme inhabits St. Vincent's Isle, in the West Indies, and 

 exceeds tbe other species in the length of its oviduct. Idarnes and 

 Agaon were first included in one family by A. H. Haliday. Paphagus 

 Sidero also inhabits St. Vincent's Isle and belongs to the Agaonidse. 

 Cirrospilus Acasta, a native of England, established as a genus by the 

 names of Anthophorabia and of Melittobia, may be placed next to the 

 Agaonidse. 



It has been often said that the present state of one region of the 

 earth, as regards its vegetation and animal life, resembles the much 

 earlier state of another region, and thus the aspects of the Agaonidse 

 in different regions represent successive epochs of time, and indicate 

 how much there is yet to be learned by the investigation of figs : 

 perhaps some forms may be discovered that are more elementary than 

 the species here figured, and are more characteristic of " the dark 

 backward and abyss of time." 



There will be much difference of opinion as to whether the chain 

 of affinities in the Agaonidse is merely a proof of the unity of system, 

 or whether individuals in some cases continue comparatively 

 undeveloped and in other cases become comparatively highly 

 organized, like as the same parts of plants are formed into thorns or 

 into leaves or into flowers. 



EUCHAEEDJE. 



Fig. 1. Stilbula Volusus. 



