34 Insect Architecture. 



a few observations are here recorded. When the parent 

 insect has formed a burrow of the required length, and 

 enlarged the extremity into a chamber of proper dimensions, 

 she issues forth in search of the proper nutriment for her 

 young ; this consists of various dipterous insects : species of 

 various genera are equally adapted to her purpose Muscidce, 

 Syrphidce, &c., are captured. 



" It is amusing to see four or five females lie in wait upon 

 a patch of cow-dung until some luckless fly settles on it. 

 When this happens, a cunning and gradual approach is made ; 

 a sudden attempt would not succeed. The fly is the insect 

 of quickest flight, therefore a degree of intrigue is necessary. 

 This is managed by running past the victim slowly, and 

 apparently in an unconcerned manner, until the poor fly is 

 caught unawares, and carried off by the Mellinus to its bur- 

 row. The first fly being deposited, an egg is laid. The 

 necessary number of flies are soon secured, and her task is 

 completed. Sometimes she is interrupted by rainy weather, 

 and it is some days ere she can store up the quantity re- 

 quired. 



" A larva found feeding became full-fed in ten days. Six 

 flies were devoured, the heads, harder parts of the throat, 

 portions of the abdomen, and the legs, being left untouched. 

 The larva spins a tough, thin, brown silken cocoon, passes 

 the winter and spring in the larva state, changes to the 

 nymph on the approach of summer, and appears about the 

 beginning of autumn in the perfect state." 



There is a genus of hymenopterous insects known by the 

 name of Scolia, which are remarkable for their fossorial 

 powers. The species represented in the engraving is called 

 Scolia Xantiana, and is a native of California. 



When the female Scolia is about to fulfil the great object 

 for which she came into the world, she looks about for a 

 suitable spot, where the ground is not too hard, and digs a 

 perpendicular burrow of some depth, enlarging it at the bot- 

 tom, and digging horizontally, so that the general shape of 

 the burrow somewhat resembles that of a boot. When the 

 burrow is completed, the insect flies off in search of food for 



