348 OBSERVATIONS ON 



suckle ; it scarcely settles upon the plants, but feeds on the 

 wing in the manner of humming birds. 1 



SPHINX STELLATARUM. 



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 shav- 

 ing it bare with all the dexterity of a hoop shaver. When 

 it has got avast 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 promontory, and amidst 

 the trenches of its Danish camp, there haunts a species of 

 wild bee, making its nest in the chalky soil." 2 When people 



1 I have frequently seen the large bee moth (Sphinx stellatarum) 

 inserting its long tongue or proboscis into the centre of flowers, and 

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

 on the wing. MARKWICK. 



2 This was probably Bomlms lapidarius. ED. 



