The Bembex 



rows where the mother's visits are no longer 

 necessary that we can find larvae side by side 

 with larger or smaller stacks of food. On 

 the other hand, let us inspect the home of a 

 Bembex at the moment when she is entering 

 with the fruits of her hunting. We are cer- 

 tain of finding in the cell a larva, big or little 

 as the case may be, among remnants of pro- 

 visions already consumed. The portion 

 which the mother is now bringing is therefore 

 intended to prolong a meal which has already 

 lasted several days and which is to continue 

 for some time further with the produce of 

 future hunting-expeditions. Should we be 

 fortunate enough to make this search towards 

 the end of the larva's infancy — an advan- 

 tage which I have enjoyed as often as I 

 wished to — we shall find, on a copious heap 

 of remnants, a large and portly grub, to 

 which the mother is still bringing fresh vic- 

 tuals. The Bembex does not cease her cater- 

 ing and does not leave the cell for good until 

 the larva, distended by a purply paste, re- 

 fuses its food and lies down, stuffed to re- 

 pletion, on the jumble of legs and wings of 

 the game which it has devoured. 



Each time that the mother enters the bur- 

 row on returning from the chase, she brings 

 285 



