INSECTS AND VERMES. 273 



pierces the tender body and deposits its 

 eggs in the larva of the tipula tritici, an in- 

 sect which, when it abounds greatly, is 

 very prejudicial to the grains of wheat. 

 This operation I have frequently seen it 

 perform with wonder and delight. 



.Markwick, 



BOMBYLIUS MEDIUS. 



The bomhylius rnedius is much about in 

 March and the beginning of April, and 

 soon seems to retire. It is an hairy insect, 

 like an 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 to- 

 gether. White. 



I have often seen this insect fly with 

 great velocity, stop on a sudden, hang in 



VOL. II. T 



