34-6 AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOUNG. 



and deposited an egg at the bottom, they inclose along 

 with it one or more caterpillars, spiders, or other insects, 

 each particular species for the most part selecting a dis- 

 tinct kind, as a provision for the young one when hatched, 

 and sufficiently abundant to nourish it until it becomes 

 a pupa. Many thus furnish several cells. This process, 

 however, is varied by different species, some of whose 

 operations are worthy of a more detailed description. 



One of the most early histories of the procedure of an 

 insect of this kind, probably the common sand-wasp '(Am- 

 mophila vulgaris), is left us by the excellent Ray, who 

 observed it along with his friend Willughby. On the 

 22d of June 1667, he tells us, they noticed this insect 

 dragging a green caterpillar thrice as big as itself, which 

 after thus conveying about fifteen feet, it deposited at the 

 entrance of a hole previously dug in the sand. Then 

 removing a pellet of earth from its mouth, it descended 

 into the cavity, and, presently returning, dragged along 

 with it the caterpillar. After staying awhile it again 

 ascended, then rolled pieces of earth into the hole, at 

 intervals scratching the dust into it like a dog with its 

 fore feet, and entering it as if to press down and consoli- 

 date the mass : flying also once or twice to an adjoining 

 fir-tree, possibly to procure resin for agglutinating the 

 whole. Having filled the burrow to a level with the sur- 

 rounding earth so as to conceal the entrance, it took two 

 fir-leaves lying at hand, and placed them near the orifice 

 as if to mark the place. Such is the anecdote left on re- 

 cord by our illustrious countryman, of whose accuracy 

 of observation there can be no doubt a . Who that reads 



a The Rev. Dr. Sutton of Norwich made similar observations upon 

 the proceedings of this insect in his garden for two successive seasons. 



