Note m — BOOK IV. (continued 2)

I presume they are only of the Ichneumon-Fly-kind, that have their Generation in the Trunks of Vegetables. In Malpighi de Gallis, Fig. 61. is a good Cut of the gouty Excrescences, or rather Tumours of the Briar-stalk: From which proceeds a small black Ichneumon-Fly, with red Legs; black, smooth jointed Antennæ; pretty large Thorax; and short, round Belly, of the Shape of an Heart. It leapeth as a Flea. The Male, (as in other Insects,) is lesser than the Female, and very venereous, in spite of Danger, getting upon the Female, whom they beat and tickle with their Breeches and Horns, to excite them to a Coït.

Another Example of the Generation in the Trunks of Vegetables, shall be from the Papers of my often-commended Friend Mr. Ray, which are in my Hands, and that is an Observation of the ingenious Dr. Nath. Wood: I have (said he) lately observed many Eggs in the common Rush. One sort are little transparent Eggs, in Shape somewhat like a Pear, or Retort, lying within the Skin, upon, or in the Medulla, just against a brownish Spot on the out-side of the Rush; which is apparently the Creatrix of the Wound made by the Fly, when she puts her Eggs there. Another Kind is much longer, and not so transparent, of a long oval, or rather cylindrical Form; six, eight, or more, lie commonly together, across the Rush, parallel to each other, like the Teeth of a Comb, and are as long as the Breadth of the Rush. Letter from Kilkenny in Ireland, Apr. 28. 1697.