The Mason-Wasps 



in size, a method easily practised in a bur- 

 row closed with a mere screen of loose 

 sand, through which the mother passes 

 easily in either direction. The Pelopaeus 

 has not the same facilities of ingress and 

 egress: once the earthen jar is closed and 

 sealed, she would have, in order to re- 

 enter the cell, to break the lid, which is now 

 dry and would offer a resistance out of all 

 proportion to the means at the disposal of 

 the Wasp accustomed to handling fresh 

 mud. Moreover, each of these laborious 

 burglaries would have to be followed by a 

 rebuilding, which also would be an arduous 

 task. 



It is not therefore the Pelopaeus' practice 

 to feed her offspring day by day; and the 

 hoard of victuals is completed as swiftly as 

 possible. If game be not abundant, if the 

 atmospheric conditions be difficult, several 

 days are required to fill the cell thoroughly. 

 In favourable weather, an afternoon is suf- 

 ficient. No matter what time the hunting 

 may take, long or short according to circum- 

 stances, the laying of the egg at the bottom 

 of the cell, on the first piece served, is a 

 happy device on whose excellence I have 

 already laid stress in my history of the 

 Odynerus. The victuals provided for a cell 



100 



