POISON-FANG AND STILETTO 167 



a species that is rare in Britain but frequently 

 to be found in Southern Europe, constructs 

 a small globular nest of mud about the size of 

 a hazel-nut, and attaches it to a wall, or stone, or 

 to the stems of plants. 



The Sphegidce are a numerous and very 

 interesting genus. Species of Sphegidae are to 

 be found all over the world, but only one occurs 

 in Great Britain. M. Fabre spent many years 

 in studying the ways of these "sand wasps," 

 as they are often called, which are fairly common 

 in the south of France, and we are indebted in 

 a great measure to him for our knowledge of 

 the habits of these remarkable insects. 



In the sunny south of Europe a bright-looking 

 insect (Sphex flavipennis\ with yellow wings and 

 a red abdomen may be seen towards the end 

 of July flying about in the sunshine, seeking 

 for honey amongst the flowers, and generally 

 leading a careless, vagabond existence; but as 

 autumn approaches the Sphex begins to consider 

 her responsibilities in life, and seeks a suitable 

 situation in which to dig her burrow. A loose, 

 sandy soil is her choice, and a low bank by 

 the roadside is often the scene of her labours. 

 The Sphex prefers a horizontal site for her 

 excavations, and usually selects a flat spot on 

 a sandy bank, though sometimes she carries 

 out her mining operations on the level ground. 



On a warm day in September little companies 

 of Sphex flavipennis may be seen mining with 

 characteristic zeal and energy, for although 

 solitary in her habits as far as independence of 

 action goes, the Sphex appreciates companionship 



