PARTS OT INSECTS. 
25 
receiving and communicating tlie impressions of sound, similar to the 
ear, that deficiency may be supplied by extraordinary means of vision. 
I at the sternmata are of this description seems very probable; and 
tie antennae may, in some degree, answer a similar purpose: the cir- 
cumstance just mentioned, furnishes a strong presumption that they 
( o tins, at least in the case of these males; else why do they exhibit 
t *at peculiar structure which distinguishes the real eyes?” 
olr. Marsham observed the Ichneumon Manifestator, in June 178f, 
°u the top of a post in Kensington Cardens, it moved rapidly along, 
having its antennae bent in the form of an arch; and, with a strong 
vibratory motion in them, felt about until it came to a hole made by 
som e insect, into which it thrust them quite to the head. It remained 
about a minute in this situation apparently very busy, and then, draw- 
mg its antenna: out, came round to the opposite side of the hole, and 
again thrust them in, and remained nearly the same time. It next 
proceeded to one side of the hole, and repeated the same operation 
there. Having now again withdrawn its antenna: it turned about, and, 
dexterously measuring a proper distance, threw back its abdomen over 
its head and thorax, and projected the long and delicate tube at its tail 
into the hole. After remaining near two minutes in this position, it 
drew out the tube, turned round, and again applied its antenna: to the 
hole for nearly the same time as before, and then again inserted its 
tube. This operation was repeated three times; but Mr. Marsham ap- 
proaching too near, in order if possible to observe with a glass what 
was passing in the tube, he frightened the insect entirely away. 
Ahout a week afterwards Mr. Marsham was in Kensington Gardens, 
and saw several of these ichneumons at work. They appeared to 
pierce the solid wood with their tubes, which they forced in even to 
half their length, constantly passing them between the hinder thighs, 
which they closed in order to keep the tubes straight, when over re- 
sistance would otherwise have forced them to bend. It appeared truly 
surprising to see an instrument, apparently weak and slender, able, 
with the strength of so small an animal, to pierce solid wood half or 
t uree-quarters of an inch deep; hut, on particular attention, it was dis- 
co\ ered, that all those that appeared to pierce the solid wood, did it 
through the centre of a small white spot resembling mold or mildew, 
w Inch on minute examination was found to be fine white sand, deli- 
cately closing up a hole made by the Apis maxUlosa, and where, no 
°uot, there were young bees deposited. 
, n . t ' ce l > boles that were not closed, the insect not only thrust in the 
t'..vQ Y Ube ’ * mt ' n ^me cases the whole of the abdomen and posterior 
* caving out only the two fore feet and wings, which it placed in 
con 1 ary directions, like arms. The two cases of the tube were also 
projected up the back, with the ends appearing above the head out of 
the hole* ° 
