VARIOUS INSECTS. 223 



hatched, the larvae begin to burrow in the bark, and they 

 are frequently so numerous as completely to undermine it 

 and detach it from the wood; as they proceed, the passage 

 through which they pass is filled up with their excrement, 

 which becomes as hard as the wood itself. The larva is 

 white, and the pupa of the same colour, until within a few 

 days of the change, when the elytra become darker, and the 

 golden marks of the perfect insect become visible, and of a 

 cream colour. To the eye of the Entomologist, this insect, at 

 large, is a beautiful and truly interesting sight. When the 

 sun is shining in its fullest splendour, these insects run over 

 the surface of the bark, occasionally stop, and moving their 

 thorax, produce a little creaking noise, indicative of happiness. 

 Then they approach some little eminence, wave their antennae 

 backwards and forwards, as if elate with pride and joy, and, 

 opening up their wing-cases, fly off in quest of other scenes. 

 As I mentioned in my former communication, the males are 

 excessively quarrelsome. I have often watched their combats; 

 they stand at a little distance from each other, like bulls, then 

 rush together with great violence, each aiming at the antennae 

 and legs of his opponent. On these occasions there is usually 

 a female standing by, coolly looking on. I have this year 

 (1836) taken above two hundred specimens of this insect, be- 

 sides a great number of larvae and pupae, which, I believe, 

 were before unknown to Entomologists. 



3. Nests of the Common Wasp. 



It is necessary to observe, that the nests of this insect are 

 situated in banks, and sometimes a considerable distance from 

 the surface. The best mode is to attack them by night, 

 putting into the external aperture a lighted fusee, composed 

 of moistened gunpowder mixed with sulphur and saltpetre. 

 After this has been in the nest about five minutes, the wasps 

 become so stupified with the fumes of the powder, that the 

 nest may be dug out in perfect safety. Great care should 

 now be taken not to cut the nest with the spade ; it is fre- 

 quently so large that there is great danger of this. After the 

 nest is obtained, it is best to bring it home in a bag, carefully 



