116 THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



of the nest. Here the larva, as soon as hatched, 

 feeds upon it, thrives, and grows, and falls asleep, 

 awaiting the time when itself shall awake to 

 follow in the steps of the glittering and formidable 

 warrior who, with the boldness of an amazon and 

 affection of the tenderest of mothers, supplied it 

 with nourishment during its hours of infancy. 



This may be thought a scene of sad carnage, 

 but the following will, perhaps, appear even more 

 so. What should we say, if deep in the forests of 

 some wild uncultivated country was found a den, 

 the bottom of which was strewed with skulls, with 

 bones, and mangled limbs ? What fearful scenes 

 should we not suspect to have taken place in this 

 dark and horrid place ; and as we shuddered in 

 looking round upon its walls, as the once witnesses 

 of terrible deeds, we might even fancy we heard 

 the cry of the poor traveller, whose last agonies 

 were seen by no eye but that of the monster who 

 had waylaid and murdered him ? Such a den may 

 be found in the forest, made horrible by the cut-off 

 heads, limbs, and wings of insects it is the habita- 

 tion of the carnivorous larva of a wasp. Nay more, 

 as is seen in the engraving, the insect monster 

 actually works up the cut-off wings and limbs into 



