The Cocoon 303 



built its whole dwelling continuously. The cir- 

 cumference of the lid therefore has a circular line 

 of least resistance. But this is not a fault of 

 construction ; on the contrary, it is a fresh 

 improvement. The insect would find grave 

 difficulty in issuing later from its strong-box, 

 so stout are the walls. The line of junction, 

 weaker than the others, would seem to save it 

 a good deal of effort, for it is mostly along this 

 line that the cover is removed when the Bembex 

 emerges from the ground in the perfect state. 



I have called this cocoon a strong-box. It is 

 indeed a very solid piece of work, both from its 

 shape and from the nature of its materials. 

 Landslips or subsidences cannot alter its out- 

 line, for the strongest pressure of one's fingers 

 does not always succeed in crushing it. There- 

 fore it matters little to the larva if the ceiling 

 of its burrow, dug in loose soil, should fall in 

 sooner or later ; it does not care much if a pass- 

 ing foot should press upon it under its thin cover- 

 ing of sand ; it has nothing to fear once it is 

 enclosed in its stout bulwark. Nor does damp 

 endanger it. I have kept Bembex-cocoons 

 immersed in water for a fortnight at a time 

 without afterwards discovering the least trace 

 of dampness inside them. Why have we no 

 such waterproofing for our dwellings ! 



Lastly, thanks to its graceful oval, this cocoon 



