478 



INSECTS ABKOAD. 



interior of the cell is lined with some glutinous ejection which 

 binds it together. 



" The specimens of cells figured (the originals of which are now 

 all in England) show how strongly this cementing Huid acts. 



" The nests are extremely diiScult to find, being small, and 

 many straws hanging in the places where they are usually con- 

 structed, such as under a thatch of coarse grass. 



"As might have been expected, they remain a very shoit 

 time in the pupa state ; and the month of September is their 

 favourite season of construction, although they continue to build 

 in October. 



" I have often watched them as I sat in my thatched summer- 

 house at Mainpuri ; and the rapidity with which they came and 

 went was surprising. I know of no other special peculiarity 

 which calls for remark, excepting that all the cells I have found 

 liave been under cover." 



The general colour of this insect is black, but the second and 

 third segments of the abdomen are red. 



Some systematic entomologists have formed a family called 

 Philanthidas, but there seems to be no need for it, the Crabro- 

 nida3 being quite comprehensive enough One species, Philan- 

 thus triangidum, is tolerably common 

 _v-^^,-pi on the Continent, but very rare in 



^ l\M .7^ England. Mr. Shuckard predicted, 



some years ago, that when its me- 

 tropolis was discovered, it would 

 prove to be plentiful though very 

 local, and therefore rare except in 

 its own peculiar home. Mr. F. Smith 

 discovered the metropolis of this 

 insect at Sandown, Isle of Wight, 

 and so Mr. Shuckard's prophecy was 

 fulfilled. 



The insects were in considerable 

 numbers, burrowing into the sand, 

 and flying about with great activity. 

 Their strength and boldness may be 

 inferred from the fact that they pro- 

 vision their oests with tlie hive bee, an insect nearly twice as large 



L'lO. 256.— PhJlairflnis corouatus. 

 i^Black and yellow.) 



