ICHNEUMON. 53 



6. The species of this division are very small, 

 and have filiform antennae, with the abdo- 

 men oval, and not joined to the thorax by 

 a pedicle* 



Instinct leads the different species of this 

 numerous genus to provide for their future pro- 

 geny in a manner distinct from each other. 

 Some lay their eggs in the crevices of walls ; 

 others insert their long borers into the clefts of 

 trees, and there deposit their burden ; while a 

 third division, and that the most singular in the 

 adoption of its object, singles out an unlucky 

 caterpillar, and the female Ichneumon plunging 

 her long tube into its body, introduces egg 

 after egg, and notwithstanding all the attempts 

 of her victim to rid itself of its tormentor, con- 

 tinues her operation till her whole stock of 

 eggs is deposited. The numerous larvee, which 

 originate in the body of the caterpillar from the 

 eggs thus laid, and which live at its expense, 

 and feed on its substance, do not, as one might 

 reasonably suppose, destroy the animal directly, 

 but carefully avoiding the immediate destructio/i 

 F3 



