THE MEEODON. 



621 



the antennae is oval, and the thighs of the hind legs have a 

 strong tooth at their tips. The generic name Merodon refers 

 to this structm-e, signifying literally ' thigh-toothed,' and 

 the specific name of clavipes, or club-footed, alludes to the 

 thickened and club-like form of the hind leg. 



This is rather a pretty insect. The thorax is shining black, 

 with grey hair at the sides, and the abdomen is black, adorned 



LXXIl 



1. Volucella pellncens. 2. Volucella pliimata. 3. Merocton clavipes. 4. Syrphus liicorum. 

 a. Volncella j^ellucens, clj'peus. 6. Do., antenna. c. Do., ocelli. d. Do., front of head. 



e. Syrphus lucoriim, antenna. 



with a covering of rich golden hairs. There is also a tuft of 

 golden hair at the base of the antennge. The larva feeds on the 

 bulb of the narcissus, into which it burrows, and devours the 

 inside. It is rather an odd and clumsy-looking grub, shaped 

 much like a rolling-pin, and covered with successive rings of 

 hair. The mouth has two scaly hooks, and immediately above 

 them are two short, forked horns. 



