28 Mr. Marsham'j Obfervatms on 



it out, and then opened the hole, which was clofed with a ftifF pellet 

 of turpentine. 



Each fuccecding year I had opportunities of feeing many of thefe 

 infects at work ; but on the 23d of July 1791, 1 again paid very par- 

 ticular attention to fome I faw in Kenfmgton gardens, but more im- 

 mediately to the aiSlion of the antennas, which they thruft into 

 many holes and crevices, but foon drew them out, not finding, I 

 prefume, a proper fituation for their eggs. I obferved one with its 

 tube inferted into the fide of a rail, which I watched with great 

 attention (fg. ^.) It had fixed itfelf over a fmall patch of reddifli 

 fand that covered the hole of they^/w maxillofa, three of its legs being 

 placed on each fide the fpot ; the abdomen was bent inward, fo that 

 the end of it was embraced by the hinder thighs, which kept it in a 

 fteady pofition.the whole tube being,inferted in the rail. It frequent- 

 ly drew out the tube about ^ or | of an inch, and thrufl it in again 

 with "-rcat force; in the interim between thefe thrufts, I could 

 plainly perceive a motion in the apex of the abdomen connedled 

 with the tube fimilar to the pulfation of an artery, which mo- 

 tion ceafed whenever the aftion of the tube took place. This 

 pulfatory motion I conceive was occafioned by the eggs paffing 

 from the body of the infedl to the tube ; and I felt an inclination 

 to feize the little animal at the moment and examine the tube, 

 which is of a fine crimfon colour and femi-tranfparent, to fee if an 

 er-g might remain in it: but an anxious defire to fee the whole of 

 its operation prevented me ; and when it had finilhed its work and 

 withdrawn the tube, it was too late.— Another particular inftance 

 of fagacity in this little animal is worthy of remark : the grooves or 

 cafes of the tube were as ufual projeaed in a ftraight line from the 

 abdomen ; but the wind being very powerful, rendered it difficult 

 for this delicate animal to maintain its fituatioo, as thefe long cafes, 



which 



