292 OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS AND VERMES. 



feeding on their nectar, without settling on them, but keeping 

 constantly on the wing. MARKWICK. 



WILD BEE. 



There is a sort of wild bee frequenting the garden-campion for the 

 sake of its tomentum, which probably it turns to some purpose in the 

 business of nidification. It is very pleasant to see with what address it 

 strips off the pubes, running from the top to the bottom of a branch, 

 and shaving it bare with all the dexterity of a hoop-shaver. When it 

 has got a vast bundle, almost as large as itself, it flies away, holding it 

 secure between its chin and its fore legs. 



There is a remarkable hill on the downs near Lewes in Sussex, 

 known by the name of Mount Carburn, which overlooks that town, 

 and affords a most engaging prospect of all the country round, besides 

 several views of the sea. On the very summit of this exalted promon- 

 tory, and amidst the trenches of its Danish camp, there haunts a species 

 of wild bee, making its nest in the chalky soil. When people approach 

 the place, these insects begin to be alarmed, and, with a sharp and 

 hostile sound, dash and strike round the heads and faces of intruders. 

 I have often been interrupted myself while contemplating the grandeur 

 of the scenery around me, and have thought myself in danger of being 

 stung. WHITE. 



WASPS. 



Wasps abound in woody wild districts far from neighbourhoods ; they 

 feed on flowers, and catch flies and caterpillars to carry to their young. 

 Wasps make their nests with the raspings of sound timber ; hornets, 

 with what they gnaw from decayed : these particles of wood are 

 kneaded up with a mixture of saliva from their bodies aud moulded 

 into combs. 



When there is no fruit in the gardens, wasps eat flies, and suck the 

 honey from flowers, from ivy blossoms and umbellated plants : they 

 carry off also flesh from butchers' shambles. WHITE. 



In the year 1775, wasps abounded so prodigiously in this neighbour- 

 hood, that, in the month of August, no less than seven or eight of their 

 nests were ploughed up in one field : of which there were several 

 instances, as I was informed. 



In the spring, about the beginning of April, a single wasp is some 

 times seen, which is of a larger size than usual ; this I imagine is the 

 queen or female wasp, the mother of the future swarm. MAKKWICK. 



Argyleshire we recollect seeing many hundred acres of oak woods stript of 

 their leaves, and as bare as in early spring. The colour of the true T. viridana, 

 however, is green not yellow, as Mr. White states, and his moth may have been 

 another species. 



