Poteh J 
V. Notes on the Habits of some Hymenopterous Insects from the North-west Provinces 
of India. By Cuarues Horne, Esq., B.CS., P.ZS. With an Appendix, con- 
taining Descriptions of some new Species of Apide and Vespidw collected by 
Mr. Horne: by Frevericx Siva, of the British Museum. Illustrated by Plates 
from Drawings by the Author of the Notes. 
Read June 10th, 1869. 
[Puates XIX. to XXII. ] 
I HAVE been encouraged to arrange these Notes in consequence of the interest 
expressed on looking over my drawings by many of our leading entomologists, more 
especially by Mr. F. Smith, the well-known hymenopterist of the British Museum, who 
has so much assisted me in naming known and describing new species. The habits of 
some of these were little, if at all, previously known; and I trust that other students of 
nature, with more time at their disposal than I had in India, may take up this very 
interesting tribe of insects. 
sete C. Horne. 
Upper Norwood, April 1869. . 
Fam. SPHEGIDZ. 
PELOPHUS MADRASPATANUS, Fabr. (Plate XXI. figs. 6 & 7.) 
This is perhaps the most common of the insects of this genus found in the North-west 
Provinces, India, and one which attracts the attention of the casual observer. 
Its ordinary name aniongst Europeans is the “‘ mud-dauber.” Its cells are found in 
the oddest places, but chiefly about the rooms of houses. They are generally constructed 
from June to October; and the insect is seldom to be seen at all after November, dis- 
appearing until the close of the cold weather, i.e. in February or March. 
It may then be observed, but sparingly, as the individuals may be said to have 
emerged from the pupa-state before their time. 
In May, June, and July, however, they may often be seen sitting by small muddy 
puddles near wells, working up the mud into little pellets about the size of buck shot, 
and then flying off with them in or, rather, under their mouths. These are taken to 
some corner of a window-sill, or hollow in a rough wall, and deposited on the spot 
which has been previously carefully selected by the insect. As it is perfectly fearless 
when engaged in cell-building, and as many of the positions selected are very open, it is 
easy to observe its habits. 
This is one of the species which sometimes uses a cavity such as that left by the 
VOL. VII.—ParT 111. April, 1870. 2A 
