THE E PHIAL THE. 
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There are two very distinct tribes of 1 chneumonidce ; the 
Ichneumons proper and the Braconidce. The insects of the first 
tribe have four joints to the palps of their lower lip, and those 
of the last have only three. 
The species contained in the first tribe are usually tolerably 
large, and the abdomen is rounded at its sides ; their ovipositor is 
very small, and does not project from the hind part of the body 
when the insect is at rest. They introduce their eggs into the 
bodies of caterpillars, and other larvae which live in full daylight. 
The genus Ichneumon forms part of this tribe, and its species have 
the abdomen rather thick, and attached to the thorax by a 
waist. These insects are elongate in form, and are usually 
decorated with yellow or red bands and spots, which are rendered 
striking by their black ground. The Pimplitce are those Ichneumons 
which have the abdomen slightly narrowed at its commencement, 
and very projecting ovipositors ; and the females of some kinds, 
especially of the Ephialtce , have them longer than the rest of 
the body. 
The black Ephialtes, a common parasitic Hymenoptera of the 
centre and north of Europe ( Ephialtes manifestator) , may be seen 
during the summer time in the avenues of woods, and resting on 
flowers, or running upon the trees. The whole of its body is of 
a shining black colour ; its transparent wings are slightly clouded, 
its legs are long and slender, and are of a bright red colour, the 
hind ones being brownish. The male is thin, and rather small, 
but the female is very robust, and comparatively large. The 
larvae of the Buprestis beetles, which live inside the roots of trees, 
are afflicted by the females of this fine parasite, and there are few 
things more interesting than the sight of the egg laying. In very 
fine weather, when the sun is shining in great power, the insect 
appears full of animation. Its antennae are perpetually vibrating 
and moving in different directions ; its wings are trembling, and it 
is constantly running over the trunk of a tree with great rapidity. 
Every now and then the insect stops, runs to the right hand and 
to the left, and goes over the ground like a hound that has lost 
the scent. Then it seeks another locality, and the same vivacious 
proceeding is repeated a hundred times. Suddenly the insect 
appears to be satisfied that it has made a discovery, it stops, and 
