0BSESTATI0N3 ON INSECTS AND -raBMES. 343 



Perhaps some eggs miglit be injected into the body of the 

 spider, in the act of stinging. Some ichneumons deposit 

 their eggs in. the atcrelia of moths and butterflies. 



"White. 



In my Naturalist's Calendar for 1795, July 21st, I find 

 the following note : — 



It is not uncommon for some of the species of ichneujnon 

 flies to deposit their eggs in the chrysalis of a butterfly. 

 Some time ago, I put two of the chrysales of a butterfly into 

 a bos, and covered it with gauze, to discover what species of 

 butterfly they would produce ; but instead of a butterfly, one 

 of them produced a number of small ichneumon flies. 



There are many instances of the great service these little 

 insects are to mankind in reducing the number of noxious 

 insects, by depositing their eggs in the soft bodies of their 

 larvcB; but none more remarkable than that of the ichneumon 

 tipula, which pierces the tender body and deposits its eggs 

 in the larva of the tipula tritici, an insect which, when it 

 abounds greatly, is very prejudicial to the grains of wheat. 

 This operation I have frequently seen it perform with wonder 

 and dehght. Mabeiwicx. 



BoMBYLiTJS Mediits. — The tomh/lius medius is much 

 about in March and the beginning of April, and soon seems 

 to retire. It is a hairy ihsect, like a 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. "White. 



I have often seen this insect fly with great velocity, stop 

 on a sudden, hang in the air in a stationary position for 

 some time, and then fly ofi' again ; but do not recollect having 

 ever seen it strike its tail agaiust the ground, or any other 

 substance. Maekwick. 



MrsciE (Flies.)* — In the decline of the year, when the 



* Three species of English house-flies have now been introduced into 



