BEES AND THEIR ENEMIES. 
113 
branches, break forth, and move itself briskly from side 
to side. It looked like a little imp of darkness just 
emerging from the infernal regions. 1 was impatient to 
become better acquainted with so singular a creature. 
When it was completely disengaged, and I had secured 
it from making its escape, I set myself to examine it as 
carefully as possible ; and I found, after a careful inquiry, 
that I had not only got a nondescript, but also an insect 
of a new genus whose very class seemed dubious.” 
As everything connected with so strange a creature 
is very attractive, I will cite what other observers also 
V ' 
have seen. Mr. Dale, from whom Curtis received Elen- 
chus to figure m his ‘ British Entomology/ vol. v. pi. 
226, says: “ These parasites look milk-white on the wing, 
with a jet-black body, and are totally unlike anything else. 
It flew with an undulating or vaeillating motion amongst 
the young shoots of a quickset hedge, and I could not 
catch it until it settled upon one, when it ran up and 
down, its wings in motion, and making a considerable 
buzz or hum, as loud as a Sesia ; it twisted about its 
rather long tail, and turned it up like a Staphylinus. I 
put it under a glass and placed it in the sun; it became 
quite furious in its confinement, and never ceased run¬ 
ning about for two hours. The elytra or processes were 
kept in quick vibration, as well as the wings; it buzzed 
against the sides of the glass with its head touching it, 
and tumbling about on its back. By putting two bees 
(Andrena labialis ) under a glass in the sun, two Stylops 
were produced: the bees seemed uneasy, and went up 
towards them, but evidently with caution, as if to fight; 
and moving their antenme towards them, retreated. I 
once thought the bee attempted to seize it; but the 
oddest thing was to see the Stylops get on the body of 
i 
