THE ICHNEUMON MAN I TESTATOR. 327 



Observations by Mr. Marsham. 



j>osite side of the hole, and again thrust them 

 in, and remained nearly the same time. It next 

 proceeded to one side of the hole, and repeated 

 the same operation there. Having now again 

 drawn out its antenna?, it turned about; and, 

 dexterously measuring a proper distance, threw 

 back its abdomen over its head and thorax, and 

 projected the long and delicate tube at its tale 

 into the hole. After remaining near two minutes 

 in this position, it drew out the tube, turned 

 ound, and again applied its antennae to the hole 

 for nearly the same time as before ; and then. 

 again inserted its tube. This operation was re- 

 peated thre.e times; but Mr. Marsham approach- 

 ing too near, in order, if possible, to observe with 

 a glass what was passing in the tube, he fright- 

 ened the insect entirely away. .Another time he 

 saw several of these ichneumons at work in the 

 same gardens. They appeared to pierce the 

 solid wood with their tubes, which they forced 

 in even to half their length, constantly passing 

 them between the hinder thighs, which they 

 closed in order to keep the tubes straight, when 

 over resistance would otherwise have forced them 

 to bend. It appeared truly surprising to see an 

 instrument, apparently weak and slender, able, 

 with the strength of so small an animal, to pierce 

 solid wood half or three quarters of an inch deep; 

 l?ut, on particular attention, it was discovered, 

 jthat all those that appeared to pierce the solid 

 , did it through the centre of a small white 



