AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOH THEIR YOUNG. 345 



eggs in cells or burrows often of considerable depth, 

 and dug- with great labour in sand or the solid earth. 

 The general economy of these insects is similar. 

 Having- first dug a cylindrical cavity of the requisite 

 dimensions, and deposited an egg at the bottom, they 

 inclose along with it one or more caterpillars, spiders, 

 or other insects, each particular species for the most 

 part selecting a distinct kind, as a provision for the 

 young one when hatched, and sufficiently abundant to 

 nourish it until it becomes a pupa. Many thus furnish 

 several cells. This process, however, is varied by dif- 

 ferent species, some of whose operations are worthy of 

 a more detailed description. 



One of the most early histories of the procedure of an 

 insect of this kind (probably AmmopMla vulgaris^ Kirby) 

 is left us by the excellent Ray, who observed it along 

 with his friend Willughby. On the 22d of June 1667, 

 he tells us, they noticed this insect dragging- a green ca- 

 terpillar thrice as big as itself, which after thus convey- 

 ing about fifteen feet, it deposited at the entrance of a 

 hole previously dug in the sand. Then removing a 

 pellet of earth from its mouth, it descended into the ca- 

 vity, and, presently returning, dragged along with it 

 the caterpillar. After staying awhile it again ascended, 

 then rolled pieces of earth into the hole, at intervak 

 scratching the dust into it like a dog with its fore feet, 

 and entering it as if to press down and consolidate the 

 mass; flying also once or twice to an adjoining fir tree, 

 possibly to procure resin for agglutinating the whole. 

 Having filled the burrow to a level with the surround- 

 ing earth so as to conceal the entrance, it took two fir 

 leaves lying at hand, and placed them near the orifice 



