i62 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



long, and, when the size of the insect is considered, are singu- 

 larly powerful, especially the last pair of legs. We think the 

 legs of the 'kangaroo are enormously large in proportion to the 

 size of its body, but they must be doubled in length as well as 

 in thickness to equal those of the Burnet Ichneumon. The 

 fore-limbs are not so very large, but they are long and possessed 

 of great clasping power, aided by the hooked feet. 



What then is the use of such powerful limbs % The habits of 

 the insect supply the answer. 



As is the case with many ichneumon flies, this insect— which, 

 by the way, is not a fly but a near relation to the bee and ant — 

 deposits its eggs upon caterpillars, boring holes in their skin with 

 its pointed ovipositor, which is the analogue of the bee's sting, 

 and inserting its eggs in the perforations. As may naturally be 

 imagined, the caterpillar has a very strong objection to this pro- 

 ceeding, and when the ichneumon settles upon it, and begins to 

 use her weapon, twists and wriggles about like a captured eel. 



Now the strong limbs of the ichneumon come into play. 

 Minute as is the insect when compared to the caterpillar, bearing 

 about the same, relationship that a rabbit bears to an elephant, 

 the legs are so long that they can include a considerable portion 

 of the skin in their embrace, and so strong that they can retain 

 their hold in spite of the contortions with which the caterpillar 

 tries to rid itself of its persecutor. Retaining her place, there- 

 fore, the ichneumon deposits a great number of eggs in the poor 

 caterpillar, and then goes to find another victim. 



I am not sure whether or not the ichneumon makes a separate 

 wound for every ^g<g. If so, the feeHngs of the caterpillar are 

 not to be envied, for I have found nearly a hundred and fifty 

 ichneumon larvae in the body of a single caterpillar. No wonder 

 that the persecuted being endeavours to fling ofl" the creature 

 that is inflicting so many wounds. The numerous short and 

 bristle-like hairs with which the legs are thickly clad, are doubt- 

 less useful in retaining the hold of the insect. 



Our last example of the pensile nests formed by the hymen- 

 optera is a tnily remarkable one. For some time 1 could 



