ANIMAL 9ALL9. 403 



into view. Like other ovipositors of this sort, they 

 are composed of a horny substance ; but the terminal 

 piece is very different indeed from the same part in 

 the gall-flies, the tree-hoppers (Cicada), and the 

 ichneumons, being composed of five points, three of 

 which are longer than the other two, and at first 

 sight not unlike a fleur-de-tys, though, upon nar- 

 rower inspection, they may be discovered to termi- 

 nate in curved points, somewhat like the claw of a 

 cat. The two shorter pieces are also pointed, but 

 not curved ; and by the union of the five, a tube is 

 composed for the passage of the eggs. 



Ovipotitor of the breeze-Jig, great hj magnified, wth a daw 

 and part if the tube distinct. 



It would be necessary, Reaumur confesses, to see 

 the fly employ this instrument to understand in what 

 manner it acts, though he is disposed to consider it 



