PUSS MOTH. IOI 
should be introduced into the body of the larva is not an 
extraordinary circumstance, but that the perfect insects 
should be able to make their way out of such a cocoon is 
really wonderful. The interior of this cell is hard and 
smooth, as if made of polished ebony, and its concavity 
renders it more difficult of penetration. Yet these sin- 
gular insects contrive to make their way through the 
sturdy walls. 
The ichneumons which usually attack the Puss Moth 
are rather large insects, belonging to the genus Ophion, 
and have long, slender, curved abdomens, and long 
antenne slightly twisted at the ends. The colour is 
orange, diversified with black. Those which have made 
their cells in the above-mentioned cocoon belong to the 
species called Paniscus glaucopterus, and are of a yellowish 
hue. It sometimes happens that the insects fail in 
making their way through the cell-walls and die in the 
interior. This accident, however, seems chiefly to befall 
the ichneumons produced in cocoons which are kept in 
houses for the purpose of breeding the Puss Moth, and 
which are in consequence harder and more dry than 
those which remain in the open air, adhering to the 
trunks of trees. 
Those splendid insects which are popularly called 
RvuBY-TAILED Fires, or FIReTAILS, and scientifically are 
termed Chrysidide, are also to be numbered among the 
parasitic insects. 
They make no nests for themselves, but intrude upon 
those of various mason and mining bees, and several 
other insects. The Firetail does not, however, lay its 
eggs in the body of the larva, but makes its way into 
the nest while the rightful owner is absent, and places 
an egg near that of the bee. The egg of the parasite 
