35^ ICHNEUMON MANIFESTATOa, 



inserted its tube. This operation was repeated 

 three times ; but Mr. Marsham approaching too 

 near, in order, if possible, to observe with a glass 

 what was passing in the tube, he frightened the 

 insect entirely away. 



About a week afterwards Mr. M. was in Ken- 

 sington Gardens, and saw several of these Ichneu- 

 mons at work. They appeared to pierce the solid 

 wood with their tubes, which they forced in even 

 to half their length, constantly passing them be- 

 tween the hinder thighs, which they closed in or- 

 der to keep the tubes straight, when over resistance 

 would otherwise have forced them to bend. It ap- 

 peared truly surprising to see an instrument, appa- 

 rently weak and slender, able, with the strength of 

 so small an animal, to pierce solid wood half or 

 three quarters of an inch deep ; but, on particular 

 attention, it was discovered, that all those that ap- 

 peared to pierce the solid wood, did it through the 

 centre of a small white spot resembling mold or 

 mildew, which, on minute examination, was found 

 to be fine white sand, delicately closing up a hole 

 made by the Apis maxiliosa, and where, no doubt, 

 there were young bees deposited. 



In deep holes that were not closed the insect not 

 only thrust in the whole tube, but in some cases the 

 whole of the abdomen and posterior legs, leaving 

 out only the two fore feet and wings, which it 

 placed in contrary directions like arms. The two 

 cases of the tube were also projected up the back, 

 with the ends appearing above the head cue of the 

 hole. ;? 



