164 MESSRS. C. HORNE AND F, SMITH ON HYMENOPTERA 
him), and twenty-five spiders of various sizes in the two cells. I could not find the egg 
or larva in the third cell, which had only just been closed; but the former was doubtless 
on the body of one of the larger spiders which had been first deposited in the cell. 
“ Benares.” 
It is very wonderful to see how well the food is packed, and it is worthy of inquiry 
how the stored spiders remain alive and plump for so many days. It must be the effect 
of the poison conveyed through the sting of the Pelopeus when it captures the insect. 
At times it builds its solitary, highly finished cell on some small hanging object, 
such as a stalk of grass in a thatch under shelter; and then the shape of the cell is 
curious, being rather ovate, so as to throw off the rain. At others the cells are placed 
side by side in great numbers, say twelve or fourteen, and so well covered over with 
mud as to be almost unobservable (Pl. XXI. fig. 2). The situation is very often in the 
midst of a plant of grass, the stalks of which are, as before observed, covered far up 
with mud. 
Fam. CRABRONID. 
TRYPOXYLON REJECTOR, Smith. (Plate XXI. figs. 4 & 4a.) 
This curious little insect, when first hatched from the delicate little Serpularia-like 
cells, was taken by me for some parasite allied to the _Ichneumonide, in consequence of 
my having often observed it hovering at the mouths of the cells of the smaller cell- 
building insects in my verandah. I found, however, that it brought mud and worked 
for itself, as well as appropriated the cells of other insects which it found ready to its 
hand. 
I have nowhere found recorded its habits; but I think I have seen it carrying minute 
green spiders wherewith to fill its cells. It certainly does not feed its young, but stores 
food; for it closes its cells directly they are ready, which none of the Vespide do. 
The construction of these is very curious; and the pellets of earth used appear of a 
sandy character, which gives to the structure great delicacy and fragility. At the same 
time the interior of the cell is lined with some glutinous ejection which binds it together. 
The specimens of cells figured (the originals of which are now all in England) show 
how strongly this cementing fluid acts. (See Pl. XXI. figs. 4 & 4a.) 
The nests are extremely difficult to find, being small, and many straws hanging in the 
places where they are usually constructed, such as under a thatch of coarse grass. 
As might have been expected, they remain a very short time in the pupa-state; and 
the month of September is their favourite season of construction, although they con- 
tinue to build in October. 
I have often watched them as I sat in my thatched summer-house at Mainpuri; and 
the rapidity with which they came and went was surprising. I know of no other 
special peculiarity which calls for remark, excepting that all the cells I have found 
have been under cover. 
