Mason-Wasps. 



29 



were thirteen in number, very carefully constructed of earth, 

 and several of them were closed. Although these cells were 

 not fossorial in their nature, several other species of the same 

 genus are as accomplished burrowers as any insect. Pompilus 

 plumbeus, for example, another black species, burrows into 



sand, and is very plentiful on our more southern shores. It 

 may usually be found hovering about sand-banks, and flitting 

 about with such agility that it is by no means an easy insect 

 to catch. The male is peculiarly apt to evade the stroke of 

 the entomologist's net. 



Then there is Pompilus rufipes, which is a black insect, 

 but distinguished by the conspicuous red colour of the hind 

 legs. This is very fond of our coasts, and may be found 

 wherever the soil is suitable for its excavations. Many 

 species of this genus carry off spiders for the purpose of 

 provisioning their nests. Several species, which live far 

 inland, prefer light and dry earth to sand, and make therein 

 their burrows, preferring our little white spider as the pro- 

 vision for their young. Although the same insect may be 



