WASPS, SOCIAL AND SOLITARY 



abundant than the males. We have never seen the 

 spider captured and do not know where the sting is 

 given, but certainly this wasp wounds her prey very 

 severely. The spiders that we took from her were either 

 dead, or so completely paralyzed that it required great 

 care and the use of a magnifying glass to determine 

 that they were alive. 



The next stage of her proceedings we are familiar 

 with, as we have frequently seen the wasp carry the 

 spider. Unlike her sister, marginatus, she usually flies 

 with it, and seems not at all encumbered by its weight. 

 In many cases, however, she drags it, holding it by one 

 leg and running rapidly backward. 



A suitable place for the nest being found, the spider 

 is very prettily taken care of while the work is in pro- 

 gress. A plant, usually a bean or a sorrel, is chosen, and 

 the strix is hung in the crotch of a branching stem, where 

 it will be safe from the depredations of ants. This pre- 

 caution is not always taken. We have many times seen 

 the spider left on the ground, although there were plenty 

 of plants at hand. 



The next point is to decide upon the precise spot 

 for the nest, and here our wasp shows herself very un- 

 certain and hard to please. Never have we seen one 

 settle down and complete her work in the spot first 



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