432 OBSERVATIONS ON 



ICHNEUMON FLY 



I saw lately a small ichneumon fly attack a spider much 

 larger than itself on a grass walk. When the spider made 

 any resistance, the ichneumon applied her tail to him, and 

 stung him with great vehemence, so that he soon became 

 dead and motionless. The ichneumon then running back- 

 ward drew her prey very nimbly over the walk into the 

 standing grass. This spider would be deposited in some 

 hole where the ichneumon would lay some eggs ; and as 

 soon as the eggs were hatched, the carcase would afford 

 ready food for the maggots. 



Perhaps some eggs might be injected into the body of 

 the spider, in the act of stinging. Some ichneumons 

 deposit their eggs in the aurelia of moths and butterflies. 



BOMBYLIUS MEDIUS 



The bombylius medius is much about in March and the 

 beginning of April, and soon seems to retire. It is an hairy 

 insect, like an humble-bee, but with only two wings, and a 

 long straight beak, with which it sucks the early flowers. 

 The female seems to lay its eggs as it poises on its wings, 

 by striking its tail on the ground, and against the grass 

 that stands in its way, in a quick manner, for several times 

 together. 



MUSCAE.— FLIES 



In the decline of the year, when mornings and evenings 

 become chilly, many species of flies {muscae) retire into 

 houses, and swarm in the windows. 



At first they are very brisk and alert ; but as they grow 

 more torpid, one cannot help observing that they move 

 with difficulty, and are scarce able to lift their legs, which 

 seem as if glued to the glass; and by degrees many do 

 actually stick on till they die in the place. 



It has been observed that divers flies, besides their sharp 



