^Iti ON LEUCOSPI^. 



net, and lower it to the ground. This operation will raise up 

 the bottom of the net, and with it the insect, which will fly up 

 into the forceps, and these being closed at the sides, as before 

 directed, it cannot escape. The yew-tree seems to flourish 

 best in chalky districts. Few persons are aware of the great 

 age and gigantic size of many of these magnificent trees in 

 Norbury Park. They seem common in the woods and hedge- 

 rows on the chalk in Kent and Surrey. Those in Norbui'y 

 Park are really a natural curiosity. I invite entomologists to 

 examine them, more particularly, of course, when the fruit is ripe. 

 I am convinced that they will be rewarded by new discoveries. 

 Norbury Park is within the limits of the metropolitan district, 

 as circumscribed by Mr. Stephens. I hope the London ento- 

 mologists will be excited, by ray success, to continue the 

 investigation of this interesting liabitat : I fear I shall never 

 have another opportunity. 



I am. Sir, yours, &c. 



John Walton. 



14, Canonbury Square, 

 Febniory, 1834. 



Art. XVIII, — On Lei/cospis ,- a Genus of Hymenopterous 

 Insects. By J. O. Westwood, F.L.S., &c. 



As a supplement to Mr. Walker's detailed descriptions of 

 the previously recorded species of the genus Leucospis, I 

 beg leave to offer to the entomological student the following 

 descriptions of new, and notes upon several of the old species, 

 preceded by a few observations upon the genus in question. 



As a genus, Leucospis^ is especially interesting; firstly, from 

 the circumstance that it comprises the largest known species of 

 one of the most extensive families of insects — the Chalcididcs ; 

 secondly, from the extraordinary position of the ovipositor, 

 which, when at rest, is laid along the back of the abdomen. 

 It is difficult, at first sight, to imagine how this instrument 



* 1 have not adopted Dunieril's derivation of this word, as the insects exhi- 

 bit no character in conformity with it. 



