The Tachytes 



ledges of soft limestone in fairly populous 

 coloniesi. August and September are the 

 season of her labours. Her burrows, very 

 close to one another when an easily-worked 

 vein presents itself, afford an ample harvest 

 of cocoons once the site is discovered. In a 

 certain gravel-pit in the neighbourhood, with 

 vertical walls visited by the sun, I have been 

 able within a short space of time to collect 

 enough to fill the hollow of my hand com- 

 pletely. They differ from the cocoons of 

 the preceding species only in their smaller 

 size. The provisions consist of young 

 Acridians, varying from about a quarter to 

 half an inch in length. The adult insect does 

 not appear in the assorted bags of game, 

 being no doubt too tough for the feeble 

 grub. All the carcases consist of Locust- 

 larvae, whose budding wings leave the back 

 uncovered and put one in mind of the short 

 skirts of a skimpy jacket. Small so that it 

 may be tender, the game is numerous so that 

 it may suffice all needs. I count from two 



Wasp of which I am about to speak, this Tachytes might 

 well be a new species, if it is not Lepelletier's T. tarsina 

 or its equivalent. Panzer's T. unicolor. Any one wish- 

 ing to clear up this point will always recognize the 

 quarrelsome insect by its behaviour. A minute descrip- 

 tion seems useless to me in the type of investigation which 

 I am pursuing. — Author's Note. 



133 



