29 



little cell. It finds this sufficient for its growth; and, attaining this, it goes into the 

 pupal stage of restful development. At length it breaks fcrth into the outer world, 

 a creature full of lusty hfe and activity — and yet it is a creature only eiglit- 

 tenths of a millimetre In length. We are lost in admiration of Him who 

 formed this insect, so minute, so briUiant, so perfect in every part. 



God's majesty is seen in httle things ! His Almighty Power appears, both in 

 the animalcule whose ocean is a drop of water, and in the huge Baloena that 

 tempests the mighty deep. • 



In America, Telemoni have been reared from the eggs of 14 species of 

 Lepidoptera; and it cannot be doubted that many other kinds of egg-feeders will 

 yet be discovered. 



(b) In forming the collection of Lepidoptera that is now in the Provincial 

 Museum at Quebec, I endeavoured to raise from the larvae as many kinds as 

 possible, that the specimens might be perfect. I often failed — the larvae proving 

 to be ichneumonid. I had much trouble in raising Apatela hastulifera S. & A. 

 I only succeeded when I found the larvae in a very early stage of their existence, 

 before the ichneumon (Rhogus intermedius Cresson), had found them. The 

 parasitized larvae were constantly met with. They seemed to become reckless, 

 and to m^ke no effort at concealment; and later their empty skins were to be seen 

 affixed to the twigs of their food-plant, and pierced with numerous holes through 

 which their mortal foes had made their exit. It is well that the gardener should 

 study the Ichneumonidae,. Braconidae, etc., and their habits. 



I have, if I remember rightly, told elsewhere of a \isit I paid long ago, to a 

 clergj^manin the Eastern Townships who had a very fine garden, and was proud of 

 it. He took me round its well ordered beds, and along its borders, expatiating 

 upon their perfections. While we were passing a fine carrot-patch, I noticed a 

 skin of Papilio polyxenes Fab. thickly studded with cocoons of a microgaster. 

 Unlike the Rhogus I have spoken of, which attains perfection within the body of 

 its victim, the microgaster, when full-fed, pierces the skin of its host, and^pins its 

 cocoons around it. 



I drew the attention of my friend to the object before me, intending to give 

 him a short lesson on Insect Parasites; but, in a moment, to parody a passage in 

 " The Hermit of Warkworth," 



The Parson turned in sudden rage, 

 And at the insects flew. 



Before I could hinder him, he had crushed under foot,and trampled out of existence, 

 some scores of his best insect friends. 



