INSECT INDUSTRY. 99 



yellow, with transparent wings, and Synagtis 

 analis, Sauss., a black wasp, with the end of 

 the abdomen bright red, are fond of making 

 their nests, consisting of many little clay cells, 

 in houses, behind picture - frames or in any 

 convenient corner; and as they do not sting 

 unless molested, I seldom disturb the busy little 

 creatures, who never seem to tire at their work 

 when they come into mine. Sometimes when I 

 first open the doors in the morning I find some 

 of them already waiting to come in with their 

 little pellets of moistened sand, and if I prevent 

 them from entering they get quite angry and 

 try to dodge past me. Occasionally they drop 

 the pellet, fatigued with its weight, but quickly 

 fiy off and return with more, generally being 

 absent about four minutes, setting, as indeed 

 most insects do, a very good example of in- 

 dustry and perseverance. I have never seen 

 more than one insect at a time working at a 

 nest, and believe that one individual only (the 

 female) makes it. Whilst at work the insect 

 keeps up a constant humming with its wings. 



