AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOtJNG* S41 



tribe of insects already introduced to you by the name 

 of Ichneumons, whose young are destined to feed upon 

 the living bodies of other insects. These, as you know, 

 are so numerous, that scarcely an insect exists, which in 

 its larva state is not exposed to the attacks of one or 

 other of them ; and even the pupae, nay the very eggs of 

 these animals, are not safe from their insidious manoeuvres. 

 The size of the different species varies in proportion to 

 that of the bodies which are to be their food ; some being 

 so inconceivably small, that the egg of a butterfly not 

 bigger than a pin's head is of sufficient magnitude to 

 nourish two of them to maturity* ; others so large, that 

 the body of a full-grown caterpillar is not more than 

 enough for one. They are the larvae of these Ichneu- 

 mons which make such havoc of our pygmy tribes : the 

 perfect insect is a four-winged fly, which takes no other 

 food than a little honey ; and the great object of the fe- 

 male is to discover a proper nidus for her eggs. In 

 search of this she is in constant motion. Is the cater- 

 pillar of a butterfly or moth the appropriate food for her 

 young ? You see her alight upon the plants where they 

 are most usually to be met with, run quickly over them, 

 carefully examining every leaf, and, having found the 

 unfortunate object of her search, insert her sting into its 

 flesh and there deposit an egg. In vain her victim, as 

 if conscious of its fate, writhes its body, spits out an acid 

 fluid, menaces with its tentacula, or brings into action 

 the other organs of defence with which it is provided. 

 The active Ichneumon braves every danger, and does 

 not desist until her courage and address have ensured 

 a Bonnet, ii, 344, 



