5.03 XtiZ SAVAG^Ty 



Genus V Sphcx, The Savage, 



1. HE mouth of this tribe is armed with jaws, but has nv 

 tongue ; the antennae have ten articulations, and the 

 Tvings are extended, and laid horizontally upon the back; 

 the fling lies concealed within the body. 



This genus contains infedts, perhaps the mofl fierce 

 and rapacious of this clafs of beings. The lavage, or 

 ground bee, does not feed upon honej, or accommodate 

 its young with that kind of provifion. They attack in- 

 fecls much beyond their own fize, and that whether they 

 are dcfencelefs or armed ; for they are provided with 

 ftrong jaws, and a fling poifoned with a liquor fatal to 

 every animal they engage. The favage feizes boldly on 

 the infe£l he attacks, and gives it a flroke of amazing 

 force. After this firfl encounter, he falls down, as if he 

 had himfelf received the mortal blow; but it is only to 

 refl from his fatigue, and to obferve the efFe^s of his 

 prowefs. By and by, the wounded animal dies ; and 

 while yet palpitating with life, the favage devours thofe 

 parts which he finds mofl palatable, leaving the greater 

 part entire. 



It is thus that the fphex riots in the blood of hundred* 

 of inle6ls ; and his family is no fooner increafed, than the 

 carnage becomes proportioned to the number of young 

 he has to fupport. After the female has depofited her 

 eggs in the bottom of a cell dug in the ground, or in the 



mud 



