346 AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOUNG. 



as if to mark tlie place. — Such is the anecdote left on 

 record by our illustrious countryman, of whose accu- 

 racy of observation there can be no doubt. Who that 

 reads it can refrain from joining in the reflection which 

 it calls from him, " Quis hcec non mihi miretur et siupeat ? 

 Quis hujusmodi opera merce, machince possit attribuere ^ .^" 

 I myself, when walking with a friend some months 

 ago, observed nearly similar manoeuvres performed by 

 a species of Pompilus (Sphe.v, L.), which attracted our 

 attention as it was dragging a spider to its cell. The 

 attitude in which it carried its prey, namely Avith its 

 feet constantly upwards ; its singular mode of walking, 

 which was backivards, except for a foot or two when it 

 went forwards, moving by jerks and making a sort of 

 pause every few steps ; and the astonishing agility with 

 which, notwithstanding its heavy burthen, it glided over 

 or between the grass, weeds, and other numerous im- 

 pediments in the rough path along which it passed — to- 

 gether formed a spectacle which we contemplated with 

 admiration. The distance which we thus observed it 

 to traverse was not less than twenty-seven feet, and 

 great part of its journey had probably been performed 

 before we saw it. Once or twice, when we first noticed 

 it, it laid down the spider, and making a small circuit 

 returned and took it up again. But for the ensuing 

 twenty or twenty-five feet it never stopped, but pro- 

 ceeded in a direct line for its hole v/ith the utmost speed. 

 When opposite the Isole, which was in a sand bank by 

 the way side, it made a sharp turn, as evidently aware 

 of being in the neighbourliood of its abode, but when 

 advanced a little further laid down its burthen and went 



' Rai. m^t. Ins. 251. 



