STREPSIPTERA. 301 
the Polistes larva, in consequence of its cell not being closed, but the 
same mode of proceeding more probably takes place in both genera. 
We may in like manner, from analogy with what is known relative to the 
development of the Ichneumonideous parasites, easily imagine that the 
parasite larva may remain as such in the various states of the bee’s or 
wasp’s development, and not undergo its change to the pupa state 
until the latter has arrived at the imago state. But these are mere con- 
jectures, which, from the anomalous character of the Strepsiptera, may 
possibly be quite contrary to the real economy of these parasites ; but 
the facts now known relative to their habits will not warrant us in 
adopting the supposition of Messrs. Kirby and Spence, that the eggs 
are apparently deposited in the abdomens of the perfect bees or wasps 
on which the larvee feed; indeed, although the simultaneous appear- 
ance of the bees and the winged Stylops may at first seem to sanction 
such a proceeding, yet that fact, taken in conjunction with the short 
duration of the Andrene in the winged state (together with the fact 
of astylopised bee having been found before quitting its cell), would 
necessarily prevent such a proceeding, the Stylops being so delicately 
organised as to render the idea untenable, that it could pass so longa 
period in the winged state as it must necessarily do, supposing its de- 
velopment to take place within the body of the perfect bee alone. 
Many of the Andrene, for example, appear at the beginning of the 
spring, and remain but a very short period in the perfect state; if, 
therefore, the development of the Stylops was so rapid as that the 
eggs should be deposited in, and the perfect Stylops produced from, 
the Andrena during this short period of its winged existence, it would 
be necessary, in order to insure the continuance of the race of the 
Stylops, that such perfect Stylops should survive till the following 
spring, which is not in the slightest degree probable. The depth of 
the cells of the Andrenz under ground, would also prevent the Sty- 
lops from making its way to it in order to deposit its eggs in the newly 
hatched imago, pupa, or larva ; whilst Mr. Pickering contends that the 
apparent want of any oral organs by which the Stylops larva, when 
hatched, would be able to make its way into the body of the larva, is 
sufficient to disprove the notion that the egg is deposited in the ced/ of 
the bee, whence he is led to adopt the theory that the Stylops deposits 
its eggs in the egg of the Andrena. This idea is however founded 
upon the examination of larvae which had already protruded their 
heads between the segments of the abdomen of the bee, having arrived 
