300 INSECTS AT HOINIE. 



drawing- is given on Woodcut XXX. Fig. 1, in order to show 

 the characteristic details of the genus. In this genus the club 

 of the antennce consist of two joints soldered together, and the 

 rest of the organ is formed of five joints. The spurs are 

 ratlier short and blunt, and in the male insect the tarsi of the 

 fore-legs are spined beneath. There are about eight British 

 species of Cimbex. The colour of the present species is, as may 

 be inferred from its name, yellow, and all inexperienced 

 observers might easily mistake the insect for a wasp, especially 

 Avhen flying. 



The larva is shown both in Plate IX. Fig. 3, and in Wood- 

 cut XXX. Fig. a, the latter figure being given in order to 

 show its structure. It has in all twenty-two feet and four 

 legs, and the body is covered with verj' small tubercles. Just 

 over the spiracles, or breathing holes, there are some apertures- 

 through which the larva can spirt a greenish fluid to some 

 little distance. It ejects the fluid when it is alarmed, but the 

 supply is limited, and each successive discharge is weaker than 

 its predecessor. Like most Saw-fly larvae its colour is greenish 

 grey. Contrary to the usual practice among insects, this larva 

 prefers the upper side of the leaf, where it may be found partly 

 coiled up, with its tail in the centre. It feeds on various trees, 

 such as the elder, the birch, and the beech, but Mr. F. Smith 

 tells me that he has generally found it on the willow. 



In process of time, the larva attains its full growth, and then 

 sets to work at spinning a cocoon in which it can undergo its 

 transformations. The cocoon is wonderfully tough and leathery 

 in texture, brown in colour, and is rather fluffy on the outside. 

 It is affixed to some twig of the tree on which the larva fed, 

 and in winter time is very conspicuous owing to the absence 

 of leaves. One of these dwellings is shown on Plate IX. Fig. 2. 

 If one of these cocoons be carefully opened before the insect 

 has made its final change, the pupa can be seen lying quietly 

 in its cell like a child in a cradle, and apparently as help- 

 less. It remains for a considerable time in the cocoon, and 

 finally makes its escape at one end of its dwelling. 



On Plate IX. Fig. 5, is seen a very fine insect, known 

 scientifically as Trichiosoma lucorum. The name of this 

 genus is formed from two Greek words, signifying Hairy- body, 



