THE MINERS 



259 



stored in the underground nest of the 

 wasp, to become food for the larva that 

 hatches out of the e,gg laid upon the spi- 

 der. If food influences character, no 

 wonder the larvae fed upon such nutri- 

 ment develop into the fiercest of their 

 kind. 



More common than these great wasps is 

 the beautiful Sphex ichneumonea, a large 

 wasp with a long and slender waist and 

 wearing a yellow, velvety jacket. Its legs 

 and wings are golden brown, as is also the 

 big end of the abdomen, the sting end 

 being dark brown or 

 black. 



It is a striking-look- 

 ing insect as one sees it^ 

 flying among the fall 

 flowers. It digs very 

 rapidly when once it has 

 selected a spot, and hums as it works. 

 Although it loosens the earth particle by 

 particle with its jaws, which are long, 



