224 INSECT LIFE 



XVI 



as it is for part of its length, is none the less re- 

 cognisable by the special look of the materials moved 

 about. This passage, a finger's - breadth in size, 

 rectilinear or winding, longer or shorter, according to 

 the nature of the ground, measures eight to twelve 

 inches. It leads to a single chamber, hollowed in 

 damp sand, with walls undaubed with mortar, which 

 might prevent landslips and lend polish to the rough 

 surface. Enough if the ceiling lasts while the larva 

 is being fed up. Future falling -in matters little 

 when the larva is enclosed in its stout cocoon — a 

 kind of strong box, which we shall see in process of 

 construction. In workmanship the cell is as rustic 

 as possible, being merely a rude excavation with no 

 well-determined form, low roofed, and of a size which 

 might hold two or three nests. 



Within lies one head of game — one only — quite 

 small and quite insufficient for the voracious nursling 

 for whom it is destined. It is a golden green-fly, 

 Lucilia Caesar, a dweller in tainted meat, and is quite 

 motionless. Is it really dead or only paralysed ? 

 This will be cleared up later. Just now let us 

 observe the cylindrical egg upon its side, white, 

 slightly curved, and a couple of millimetres in length. 

 It is a Bembex egg. As we have foreseen from 

 the mother's behaviour, there is no pressing house- 

 hold business ; the egg is laid and a first ration 

 provided for the needs of the feeble larva, which 

 ought to hatch in twenty -four hours. For some 

 time the Bembex need not re-enter her hole, con- 

 fining herself to keeping a good lookout in the 

 neighbourhood, or possibly making new burrows and 

 laying there egg after egg, always in a separate cell. 



