A JAMAICAN SAND WASP. 



463 



We now come to the typical genus of the Sphegidie, an 

 example of which is the beautiful Sphex argentata, so called 

 from the broad silvery band which encircles the middle of the 

 abdomen. There is a peculiarity about this silvery band. It 

 is very conspicuous, and yet, when examined closely, it disap- 

 pears. This effect is produced by the very short and fine 

 silvery pile which exists upon that part of the abdomen, and 



Fig. 243. — Sphex argentata. 

 (Black, with silver belt on abdomen.) 



sometimes extends to the metathorax. The rest of the insect is 

 black, and the wings are transparent. 



Few insects have so great a range as this, specimens having 

 been brought from India, Sumatra, Java, Celebes, Ceram, and 

 many parts of Africa and Europe. 



A very graphic account of the proceedings of a Jamaican 

 species of Sphex is given by Mr. Gosse in his "Naturalist's 

 Sojourn in Jamaica " : — 



" On the earthen floor of the building, formerly used as the 

 boiling-house on Bluefields Estate, but now dilapidated and par- 

 tially unroofed, where twine-like roots depend from the rafters, 

 and elegant ferns spring out of the crevices of the crumbling 

 walls, a good many large wasp-like flies may be observed in the 



