28 



THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



wants and, as we might say, even luxuries, she 

 has thus elegantly provided, folding some of the 

 hangings carefully over it. The remainder of the 

 cavity is filled with loose earth. 

 We have taken it for granted, 

 in this account, that the in- 

 sect really takes a pleasure in 

 the brilliant colours with which 

 she ornaments her cell ; but it 

 is only right to say, in addi- 

 tion, that we have, of course, 

 no positive proof that such is 

 really the case. For aught we 

 know, her motives may be very 

 different; it is, however, an 

 amusing way to consider these actions, be the ex- 

 planation of them what it may. 



We fear, however, we dare not promise our 

 readers the same success as that which attended 

 M. Reaumur and his companions. It has been 

 thought, that this interesting insect is not a native 

 of our island, and it is certain it has not been 

 commonly observed amongst us ; but Mr. Eennie, 

 in his work on Insect Architecture, says, that at a 

 beautiful sea-bathing village in Ayrshire, he once 



