MASON-WASP. 253 



introduce a key into the lock of the table-drawer in 

 my study, in order to open it. Finding there was 

 an obstruction, I introduced a sharp pick, and, to 

 my astonishment, drew out a number of small gravel 

 stones and lumps of dirt, more than sufficient to fill a 

 teaspoon. At first, it was supposed that these had been 

 intentionally pushed in by some one mischievously 

 disposed ; and it was not till a carpenter had come and 

 forced the drawer open, and taken the lock off (which 

 was necessary in order thoroughly to clean it), that 

 the real cause of the annoyance became apparent. 

 It was then discovered that some insect had entered 

 by the key-hole on different occasions, during the 

 time, as was supposed, of the window of the room 

 being open, and constructed its nest within the wards 

 of the lock ; a considerable portion of the nest being 

 still entire, and in it a solitary larva, to all appear- 

 ance nearly full-grown. Not more than one larva 

 was observable ; if there was a second, it must have 

 been so small as to escape notice : neither was there 

 any store of food found with it ; but probably this, 

 whatever it may have been originally, had already 

 been devoured. 



Since writing the above, Professor Henslow has 

 sent me the particulars of a very similar case, that 

 occurred not long since in his parish of Hitcham, in 

 Suffolk. He says: "The padlock upon the door of 

 our village coal-house was brought to me, in conse- 

 quence of the key having been broken in an effort 

 to overcome the resistance opposed by some sand, 

 which it was believed at the time had been inserted 

 by a 1 mischievous boy. Upon opening the padlock, 



