49 s 
ICHNEUMON, 
Genus IV. — Ichneumon . 
This genus contains a numerous lift of infedts, whofe 
manners appear lingular, even amidft the wonders which 
this clafs of beings is continually difplaying. It contains 
upwards of feventy different fpecies, all chara&erifed by 
the antennae, Which have more than thirty articulations ; 
by the mouth, armed with jaws, but without a tongue ; 
and by the abdomen, which is joined to the body by a 
pedicle or (talk, and which terminates in a projecting 
fling, inclofed in a cylindrical (heath f . 
We have already had occalion to obferve one Unking 
peculiarity in the manners of fome infedts of this genus, 
who make their way into the body of the caterpillars of 
different kinds, and there depofite their eggs. It is from 
the fignal fervices which they perform, in deftroying 
caterpillars, plant lice, and other infedts, that they have 
derived their name: Thefe animals are devoured by 
them, as the genuine ichneumon, or mangoufte, deltroys 
the crocodiles. 
As the fpecies and varieties of the ichneumons are 
prodigioufly numerous, fo their manners are extremely 
diverlified : In the general outlines of their character, 
they all agree, being remarkable for their depredations 
among the infedt tribes. In fome, the female is furnilh- 
f Syftema Nat. Ord. V. Gen .fo 
