Report of the State Entomologist. 159 



of the ovipositor, which thus becomes perpendicular under the insect, 

 where it is guided and supported hj the sheaths, which bend up in 

 loops over her back. By vigorous musciilar contractions of the sac, 

 the delicate ovipositor is slowly forced down the larva's burrow, often 

 to its full extent. 



In the accompanying- figure, the insect is represented in the attitude 

 above described, with her ovi- 

 positor emerging from the lower 

 angle of the end of the abdomen, 

 already thrust some distance into 

 the wood, while held in position, 

 braced and guided by the two 

 stouter guides, which, given out 

 at the upper angle, are curved 

 upward over the abdomen, and 

 downward along its sides. 



The above observations of Mr. 



Harrington, are supplemented ^^^ n.-ThTLunated Long-rting, Thalessa 

 by those of Mr. J. Quay {loo. cit.),- lunatoe — female ovipositing. 



which, from the interest attaching to the operation, we also quote: 



I observed that after raising the abdomen as far as possible, the 

 drill was worked forward so as to slightly bend under, giving the 

 insect a purchase on same. Then followed a bearing down motion on 

 the bent tube, curving the end of the abdomen forward and upward, 

 and next forcing the ovipositor, near its attached end, to curve also 

 and pass up through the abdomen and above into a cavity which 

 there opened for its reception. The cavity was inclosed by a mem- 

 branous sack, capable of great distention, and "^hile the drill was 

 being continually forced uj) through, it curved about within the sack 

 forming one complete bend of about three-fourths of an inch in 

 diameter, and another partial one. When fully distended the sack 

 was very thin, quite transparent, and seemingly upon the point of 

 bursting apart. But the ovij)ositor was in this manner brought to the 

 edge of the worm-hole, was slipped in, and thus made to ease away 

 upon the distended sack which by collapsing forced out again the drill 

 by its mere force of contraction, and the coil now soon disappeared. 



Another writer has stated: "The long ovipositor is passed between 

 the posterior legs, the abdomen is elevated almost to a right angle 

 with the thorax, and the ovipositor guided by the anterior tarsi is 

 forced with a ramming motion into the wood to the depth of from 

 two to three inches." (Dade.) 



