The Pelopaeus 



chooses one exposed to all the heat of sum- 

 mer and, if possible, boasting a capacious 

 fireplace in which a fire of sticks is fre- 

 quently renewed. The cheerful blaze on 

 winter evenings, when the sacred yule-log 

 burns upon the hearth, is largely responsible 

 for her choice, for the insect knows by the 

 blackness of the chimney that the spot is a 

 likely one. A chimney that is not well 

 glazed by smoke does not inspire her with 

 confidence: people must shiver with cold in 

 that house. 



During the dog-days in July and August, 

 the visitor suddenly appears, seeking a place 

 for her nest. She is in no wise disturbed by 

 the bustle and movement of the household: 

 they take no notice of her, nor she of them. 

 Spasmodically she examines, now with her 

 sharp eyes, now with her sensitive antennae, 

 the corners of the blackened ceiling, the 

 angles of the rafters, the chimneypiece, the 

 sides of the fireplace in particular and even 

 the interior of the flue. Having finished 

 her inspection and duly approved of the site, 

 she flies away, soon to return with the little 

 pellet of mud which will form the first layer 

 of the edifice. 



The spot which she adopts varies greatly; 

 often it is an extremely curious one, the one 

 61 



