MASONS 8 1 



canoe, although we moved along the bank of the 

 river very slowly. On opening closed nests of this 

 species, ... I always found them to be stocked 

 with small spiders of the genus Gastracantka, in 

 the usual half-dead state to which the mother 

 wasps reduce the insects which are to serve as food 

 for their progeny." 



In the light of Fabre's experiments to ascertain 

 the sense of locality possessed by wasps, it is no 

 wonder that Bates's wasp did not follow the canoe. 

 She, no doubt, hunted anxiously for her nest in 

 the place where the canoe had been ! 



The species mentioned is related to the Sand 

 Wasp (Ammopbila) described in the previous chap- 

 ter. Many species of Sceliphron (in which genus 

 Pelopceus is now merged) are known in various parts 

 of the world as Mud-daubers. It is scarcely a 

 nice way of referring to skilled artizans, but the 

 name may be regarded as a note of resentment on 

 the part of householders who do not regard the 

 often large masses of wasp-masonry exactly as orna- 

 ments to their doors, windows, and parlour walls. 

 It is remarkable that so many of them should 

 manifest this preference for human habitations. 



Fabre mentions one (Scelipkron spirifex) that of 

 all places for its nesting-site selects a nook in the 

 broad open fireplace of the peasants of Southern 

 Europe, where, although safe from the flames, it 

 is not free from smoke. In spite of cooking opera- 

 tions that may be in progress the wasp flies in and 

 out, between its nest and the outdoor source of 

 6 



