7 8 ON TWO SPECIES OF SPHEX. 



to the Avail was torn off, and left holes in them, through 

 which the spiders and young worms were visible. I kept the 

 frame about an inch from the wall so as to see plainly behind 

 it. In a few moments the sphex returned, bringing with him 

 a round lump of clay. He had just begun a new cell, but 

 seeing his former work disturbed, he ran rapidly over the 

 cells, in apparent doubt what to do. At last he put down 

 the clay on the margin of one of the holes, and began to 

 spread it with his nose, pushing it out before him with the 

 action of a hog which is rooting. While he did this he made 

 a shrill buzzing noise. Having plaistered up the hole very 

 perfectly and neatly, he flew away. In 4 minutes he returned 

 with another lump of clay. He put it down at once by the 

 next hole, and stopped it in the same manner. He repeated this 

 four times, and having finished his repairs, and satisfied himself 

 by ranging over the cells several times, he flew for ano- 

 ther lump, with which he proceeded to compleat his new 

 cell. 



If reason be exhibited in the modification of conduct to 

 unexpected circumstances, this surely was an instance of rea- 

 soning. The sphex saw the unexpected dilapidation of his 

 work : it had happened in his absence: the clay he brought 

 was for the new cell: seeing however, the injury done to his 

 work, he thoroughly repaired the old cells, instead of building 

 new ones. 



For some insteresting notices concerning the insects which 

 are the subject of the prcceeding paper, see a communica- 

 tion by Mr. John Bartram, a member of this Society, in the 

 Transactions of the Royal Society of London, vol. 43. No. 

 47 G, for the year 1745 



