The Buprestis-hunting Cerceris 



" In July 1840, I was visiting my friend's 

 house professionally and reminded him of 

 his capture of the year before and asked for 

 details of the circumstances that accompanied 

 it. The identity of the season and place 

 made me hope to make a similar capture my- 

 self; but the weather that day was overcast 

 and chilly; and therefore but few Wasps had 

 ventured out. Nevertheless, we made a tour 

 of inspection in the garden; and, seeing no- 

 thing coming, I thought of looking on the 

 ground for the homes of Burrowing Hymen- 

 optera. 



" My attention was attracted by a small 

 heap of sand freshly thrown up and forming 

 a sort of tiny mole-hill. On raking it, I saw 

 that it masked the opening of a shaft running 

 some way down. With a spade we carefully 

 turned over the soil and soon saw the glitter- 

 ing wing-cases of the coveted Buprestis lying 

 scattered around. Presently I discovered not 

 only isolated and fragmentary wing-cases, 

 but a whole Buprestis, then three or four of 

 them, displaying their emerald and gold. I 

 could not believe my eyes. 



" But this was only a prelude to the feast. 

 In the chaos of rubbish produced by the ex- 

 humation, a Wasp appeared and fell into my 

 5 



