CH. I.] PARALYZED CATERPILLAES. 147 



power, by stinging it is supposed though I be- 

 lieve that some of these insects never use their 

 stings for purposes of defence of partially dead- 

 ening (though without destroying) the vital prin- 

 ciple of insects stored up as food for their young. 

 I much regretted being unable to watch the pro- 

 gress of this interesting piece of domestic eco- 

 nomy. 



Although this insect exactly resembled the 

 Odynerm parietinm, yet I hesitate to express a 

 positive opinion that it was of that species, as the 

 Parietinus appears so far as the knowledge at 

 present possessed of its habits extends to provide 

 for its young a number of small caterpillars, in- 

 stead of one large one for each as in the present 

 instance. That it may, however, thus adapt itself 

 to circumstances in the selection of the food to 

 be stored up, is at least possible ; and the fact, if 

 ascertained, would only add another to the num- 

 berless instances in which the marvellous instinct 

 of insects is displayed 1 . 



1 This method of providing food for their young is not 

 confined to the Mason "Wasps it being adopted also by the 

 Sphegidce, Pompilidce, and others and appears to prevail very 

 widely throughout the world. Darwin, in his interesting Na- 

 turalist's Voyage round the World, mentions the same thing 

 as happening, under very similar circumstances, at Rio do 



L2 



