The Hunting Wasps 



tised by the Bembex, the Stlzl and the Palarl. 

 A Bembex-cocoon is so compact and strong 

 that it might be taken for the kernel of some 

 seed. The form is cyHndrical, with one end 

 rounded and the other pointed. The length 

 is about three-quarters of an inch. On 

 the outside it is slightly wrinkled and rather 

 coarse to look at; but the inner walls are 

 glazed with a fine varnish. 



My experiments in indoor breeding have 

 enabled me to observe every detail of the 

 construction of this architectural curiosity, a 

 regular strong-box inside which the inclemen- 

 cies of the weather can be braved in safety. 

 The larva first pushes away the remains of 

 its food and forces them into a corner of the 

 cell or compartment which I have arranged 

 for it in a box with paper partitions. Hav- 

 ing swept the floor, it fixes at the different 

 walls of its dwelling threads of a beautiful 

 white silk, forming a spidery web which 

 keeps off the cumbrous heap of broken 

 victuals and serves as a scaffolding for the 

 next work. 



This work consists of a hammock slung 

 far from any dirt, in the centre of the 

 threads stretched from wall to wall. No- 

 thing but silk, magnificently fine, white silk, 

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