82 The Hunting Wasps 



feet at the entrance. An ^^;g is laid on one of 

 them. The burrow must now be closed. The 

 sand resulting from the excavation, which is 

 lying in a heap outside the front-door, is quickly 

 swept backwards down the passage. From 

 time to time some fair-sized bits of gravel are 

 picked out singly, by scratching the heap of 

 rubbish with the fore-feet, and carried with the 

 mandibles to strengthen the crumbly mass. 

 Should the Wasp find none within reach to 

 suit her, she goes and searches for them in the 

 neighbourhood, and seems to choose them as 

 conscientiously as a mason would choose the 

 chief stones for his building. Vegetable re- 

 mains, tiny fragments of dead leaves, are also 

 employed. In a few moments every outward 

 trace of the underground dwelling has disap- 

 peared ; and, if we have not been careful to 

 mark the site of the abode, it becomes impos- 

 sible for the most watchful eye to find it again. 

 When this is finished, a new burrow is dug, 

 provisioned and walled up as often as the teem- 

 ing ovaries demand. Having completed the 

 laying of her eggs, the Sphex resumes her care- 

 less, vagrant life, until the first cold snap puts 

 an end to her well-filled existence. 



The Sphex' task is accomplished ; and I will 

 finish mine with an examination of her weapon. 

 The organ destined for the elaboration of her 



