MASON-WASP. 251 



a similar kind, which had been previously stored up 

 as food for its future young, according to the well- 

 known habits of this genus of insects. We partially 

 destroyed the nest whilst examining it ; but, to 

 our surprise, on our return to the spot a few hours 

 afterwards, we found it completely restored to its 

 original state. We destroyed it again, and it was 

 again rebuilt ; but on pulling it to pieces a third time 

 the insect flew out, and shortly afterwards returned 

 accompanied by another of the same species (sup- 

 posed to be the other sex), whom, as it were, it had 

 gone to fetch in order to assist in the rescue, for they 

 together seized up the caterpillars with their jaws 

 and feet, and bearing them off as well as they could 

 flew out of sight, never again to revisit the ill-fated 

 spot. With these caterpillars no doubt their eggs 

 would have been deposited ; and the whole proceed- 

 ing is strongly indicative of the affection and assi- 

 duity with which these insects will labour on behalf 

 of their young. 



There is a small green caterpillar, which, it is 

 well known, is particularly selected by one species of 

 solitary wasp, in order to be placed along with its 

 egg, as food for the future young. But what very 

 much strikes me is, that, at a certain period of the 

 summer, I suppose when these wasps are engaged in 

 nidification, the above caterpillars may often be 

 observed in numbers scattered about the ledges of 

 the windows in my house, and, as it would seem, 

 deposited there without a purpose, since there is no 



