58 FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF 



flies, with the left wings cutoff to save space, is represented at Figure 

 20 d, and a typical larva is represented in outline in the same ligure 

 at b. The female deposits her eggs upon different plants, attaching 

 them at the extremity of a long and very slender foot-stalk (see Fig- 

 20, a). This filament is composed of a viscid matter which she dis- 

 charges and which quickly hardens on exposure to the atmosphere- 

 We see here, as everywhere else in Nature, an Alhvise creative fore- 

 thought, and a wonderful adaptation to a particular end, in the in- 

 stinct which prompts, and the power which enables the female lace- 

 wing to thus deposit her eggs ; for the newly hatched larvae are so 

 exceedingly voracious that the first hatched would devour the eggs 

 which yet remained unhatched, if they could but reach them. 



The larvas when full-grown spin perfectly round white cocoons 

 (Fig. 20, c), by means of a spinneret with which they are furnished at 

 the extremity of the body, and they attach them with threads of 

 loose silk to the underside of fences and in other sheltered situations. 

 These cocoons are of an extraordinary small size compared with the 

 larva which spins them, or with the perfect insect which escapes from 

 them, as may be readily seen by referring to the above figures which 

 bear the relative proportions. After completing the cocoon, I think 

 the larva partly cuts a circle at one side severing the fibers sufficient- 

 ly to enable their ready separation; for in issuing, the pupa pushes 

 open a small lid, which is cut periectly smooth, and just spirally 

 enough to allow it to hang at one end as on a hinge. I have also 

 noticed another fact, which, so far as I am aware, has not been re- 

 corded by any previous writer, which is, that the insect issues from 

 this cocoon in an active sub-imago state, from which after a few hours 

 the winged fly emerges, leaving behind it a fine silvery-white 

 transparent skin. 



The Subangular Ground Beetle — (Aspidiglossa sulangulata, 

 [Fig. 2i.] Chaud.)— This small polished black beetle which is rep- 

 resented enlarged at Figure 21, the hair line at the side 

 showing the natural size, also, in all probability serves 

 us a good turn in helping to diminish the numbers of the 

 Curculio, for Mr. Walsh found him in a peach that had 



I contained Curculio grubs, and as the great family of 

 beetles (Carabus) to which he belongs are all cannibals 

 so far as is known, and as he was therefore evidently 

 not inside the peach for the fruit itself, he is to be 

 strongly suspected of being a Curculio hunter. To adopt Shake- 

 speare's mode of reasoning : 



"Who finds the heifer dead, and bleeding fresh, 

 And see.- I'a.-t by a butcher with an axe, 

 But will suspect 'twas he that made the slaughter?" 



