XVI THE BEMBEX 223 



entrance to hurriedly drop their egg on the game 

 just as it disappears into the gallery. If they 

 succeed, the son of the house, the Hymenopteron's 

 nursling, will perish, starved by greedy guests. 



The Bembex seems aware of this danger, and 

 arranges so as to enter quickly, without serious 

 obstacles, so that the sand blocking the door should 

 yield to a mere push from her head, aided by a 

 rapid sweep of the forelegs. To this end she, so to 

 say, sifts the materials round her abode. In leisure 

 moments, when the sun shines and the larva has its 

 food, and does not need her care, the mother rakes 

 before her door, and puts on one side all the tiny 

 bits of wood, of over-large gravel or leaves, which 

 might get on her path and bar the passage at the 

 perilous moment of return. The Bembex which we 

 saw so hard at work was busy sifting so as to make 

 access to her abode easier ; the materials of the 

 vestibule are examined, minutely sorted, and cleared 

 of every encumbrance. Who can tell whether the 

 rapid labour and joyous activity of the insect do not 

 express in their own way her maternal satisfaction 

 and happiness in caring for the roof of the cell 

 which has received the precious trust of the egg ? 

 As the Bembex confines herself to exterior household 

 cares without seeking to penetrate the sand, every- 

 thing must be in order within, and there is nothing 

 pressing to do. We may wait, but for the time the 

 insect will teach us nothing more. Let us therefore 

 examine the underground dwelling. 



By lightly scratching the bank with the blade of 

 a knife just where the Bembex was oftenest seen, 

 one soon discovers the entrance hall, which, blocked 



