393 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



The species selected for illustration is on account of its being 

 one of the largest of the group, and so gives a good idea of the 

 general form and structure of those iusects. Its colour is almost 

 entirely black, but the basal part of the abdomen is yellow, this 

 colour extending to some two-thirds of its length. The wings 

 are dark brown and rather shining. It is remarkable that, 

 although this genus is so enormous, there is scarcely any range 

 of colour, the hues being nothing but black, grey, and yellow ; 

 and even the last mentioned hue being of a dull nature. 



The present species is a native of Albania. 



The fine insect from which the accompanying illustration 

 was drawn is in the British Museum, and, as far as is known, 

 is an unique specimen. 



V 



It was brought from Natal. 



Fio. 104.— Soolobates (?>. 

 (Black ; wings glossed with purple.) 



Independent of its size, which is quite gigantic for one of the 

 Ichneumons, it is a singularly handsome insect. The head and 



