240 
Mr. G. Newport on the 
the body with the extremities of the antennae until it gives forth 
its sweets, which the ant sucks up very eagerly, sometimes con- 
veying it to the mouth on the tip of the antennae. The same 
mode is pursued by the ants with the Cocci, excepting only that 
with these the strokes of the antennae are so rapid as to be com- 
pared with the thrill of the fingers over the keys of a pianoforte.* 
Many of the ichneumons, and other tribes of Hymenopterous in- 
sects, use their antennae as tactors. When searching for a hole or 
crevice in which to deposit its eggs, the insect will feel about on every 
side within reach with its antennae, proceed for a short distance, 
suddenly stop and explore with them, and, having found a place 
fitted for its purpose, thrust them into it, and often remain for 
some time as if in the act of examining it. Another family of this 
order use the antennae in a still more remarkable manner, as I 
once had an opportunity of observing. On the 25th of May, 
1829, about 300 individuals of (I believe) Eupelmus puparum, 
Steph.,j" or a species nearly related to it, were produced from two 
specimens of pupae of a Noctua. They were confined in a breed- 
ing-cage, which was so well secured with gauze sides that no 
insect of their size could either enter or escape. A few of the 
insects had come forth the day before, when I remarked what ap- 
peared a very singular fact, and on this occasion I had abundant 
opportunity of confirming my previous observations. In the con- 
nexion of the sexes, the males were seen to fix themselves on 
the thorax of the females, and, before any attempt at union by 
means of the posterior extremity of the body, to bend their an- 
tennae at right angles, and strike with them those of the female 
on the inner side, with very quick alternating strokes, which were 
returned by the antenna? of the females, but with much less 
rapidity. During the whole time the female continued perfectly 
quiet, with her wings folded, while those of the male were ex- 
tended and agitated with the most rapid vibratory motion. This 
intercourse usually continued from five to ten minutes, and at its 
* Kirby and Spence, vol. ii. p. 88. 
t I am not quite certain that this was the species, but the following are the 
descriptions of both sexes of the insect. Male. — Antennie brown, slightly clavate, 
shorter than body, eleven-jointed : first basal joint yellow, one-third of the length 
of the whole antennae ; third basal joint very short, joints at the apex scarcely 
distinguishable. Body : head and thorax green gold ; eyes black ; abdomen 
brown, with a pale band at the base; legs yellow ; wings hyaline. 
Female. — Antenrue fuscous at the base, shorter than those of the male ; man- 
dibles quadridentate ; maxillary palpi long, yellow, four-jointed, labial two or 
three-jointed. Head, thorax and abdomen bronzed ; eyes black, abdomen ovate, 
sting concealed, wings hyaline. Insect much larger than the male. 
