360 ARTICULATA. INSECTA. 



ORDER XL STREPSIPTERA.* 



THIS is a group of singular Insects of very small 

 size, which in their early stages inhabit the bodies 

 of some Bees and Wasps, coming forth when per- 

 fected from between the rings of the abdomen. 

 They have two large wings, forming each one fourth 

 of a circle, and a pair of very small twisted organs 

 before them, like minute elytra. The antennae are 

 singularly branched ; the eyes large, with few facets. 

 They have been but recently made known. 



The following observations were recorded by Mr. 

 Dale, of one (Stylops f Dalii) which he caught flying 

 over a hedge : " It looked milkwhite on the wing, 

 with a jet-black body, and totally unlike anything 

 else : it flew with an undulating or vacillating mo- 

 tion amongst the young shoots, and I could not 

 catch it till it settled on one, when it ran up and 

 down, its wings in motion, and making a conside- 

 rable buzz or hum : it twisted about its tail, and 

 turned it up like a Staphylinus. I put it under a 

 glass, and placed it in the sun ; it became quite fu- 

 rious in its confinement, and never ceased running 

 about for two hours." J 



* Sr^jipiw, strepJio^ to twist, and STT^OV, pteron, a wing, 

 t STZ/AOS, stylos, a column, and &n, ops, the eye. 

 Brit. Entom. fol. 226. 



