THE EUMENIDAE 353 



two crumpled, light-brown shedding-skins remained, one 

 resembling the jpupa, and the other more larva-like. This 

 is the second instance of the absence of a cocoon; perhaps 

 they do not spin one. 



The behavior of insects in the event of rain is a point sel- 

 dom noted, but we once had the opportunity of watching 

 these under such circumstances. From our place of shelter 

 under the porch and beside their nests, we could observe 

 them to advantage. The first to come home in the rain was 

 very shy in attempting to enter her nest, and when we per- 

 sisted in lingering near to see if she carried anything, she 

 flew angrily away in all the rain. Soon another came in, all 

 wet and with slow flight, but when we attempted to capture 

 it, it too wheeled about and went out into the storm. After 

 ten minutes it returned, all drenched, in the most terrific 

 downpour, went direct to the hole and crept in. During the 

 hour, three others were seen to come home in the heavy rain 

 in the same manner. The carpenter-bees nesting in the 

 same place did not come home, but after the shower many 

 came in. 



Further observations must show whether this wasp uses 

 saliva or water for making her mortar, and if she ever does 

 the work of excavating her own tunnel in wood. If she 

 actually carries water, it is remarkable that she does not 

 gather the mud itself directly from the water's edge, unless 

 indeed the streams thereabout are all so sandy or gravelly 

 that there is no mud about them and she must carry water 

 to an earthy area, like the spot on the sandbar in Fox Creek, 

 to get her plaster. At least one can hardly imagine streams 

 mudless to such an extent that the development of this habit 

 would be forced. Thus the evolution of such a habit as this 

 remains a wonder and mystery, but since the wasp is so apt 

 in adapting certain conveniences to her needs, in all prob- 

 ability some day she or her descendants will be found using 

 more economical building or renovating methods. 



