WASPS, SOCIAL AND SOLITARY 



turned off at a right angle, and excavated in an entirely 

 new direction. They probably derived some advantage 

 from this variation, for we saw four in succession follow 

 the same plan, which certainly appeared to be an in- 

 telligent adaptation of means to ends. 



We once saw a wasp of this species digging her nest 

 on the Bembex field. When finished it was a large hole 

 which could not have been distinguished from those 

 of spinolae, which were open all about, the weather 

 being bright and sunny. She flew off, and soon reap- 

 peared with her spider, which was dropped three feet 

 away while she ran to make sure that all was right; 

 and now followed something that we had never seen 

 before she could not find her nest. She flew, she ran, 

 she scurried here and there, but she had utterly lost track 

 of it. She approached it several times, but there are 

 no landmarks on the Bembex field. We have often 

 wondered how they find their own places. After five 

 minutes our wasp flew back to look at her spider, and 

 then returned to her search. She now began to run into 

 the Bembex holes, but soon came out again, even when 

 not chased out by the proprietor. Suddenly it seemed 

 to strike her that this was going to be a prolonged affair, 

 and that her treasure was exposed to danger; and hurry- 

 ing back she dragged it into the grass at the edge of the 

 214 



