186 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



fairly over, and she is as lively and active as 

 ever. She is anxiously looking about for a 

 suitable place for her nest. She seems to have 

 decided upon one now ; she has carefully ex- 

 amined the ground all over ; and we may al- 

 most fancy that we can see her nod her head, 

 and hear her say, with a self-satisfied air, "Yes, 

 this will do. Here I will dig out a fine long 

 gallery, and have a large chamber at the end of 

 it ; and then I will build my snug nest, and soon 

 have a nice little family around me." 



But there is no time to be lost, and she goes 

 immediately to work to carry out the plan. She 

 digs the long passage, which is about an inch 

 in width and two feet in depth, with wonderful 

 ease and rapidity, throwing the earth out of her 

 way as she proceeds. 



But this is only the beginning of her labor; for 

 at the end of the passage she must scoop out 

 earth enough to make a hole from one to two 

 feet in diameter, for the accommodation of her 

 nest. This is a great labor, but she does not 

 appear to be at all discouraged. She and her 

 little ones must be provided with a home, and 

 her exertions must obtain it for them. She con- 



