FROM THE NORTH-WEST PROVINCES OF INDIA. 165 
Fam. LARRIDZ. 
PARAPISON RUFIPES, Smith. (Plate XXI. figs. 1, 1a, 10.) 
This insect, which appears not to have been before noticed, has been described by 
_ Mr. F. Smith. It constructs a mass of loosely arranged cells of earth attached to some 
hanging object, such as a creeper, tendril, or pendent straw, or even a curled dry leaf. 
The interior of the cell is strengthened by a very fine glutinous silky-looking substance ; 
and this is the more necessary, as the least damp would otherwise destroy the whole 
fabric. 
I believe the insect to apply some kind of gluten, whilst the pupa secures its safety 
by spinning a very slight silken web within its abode. The cells are very globular, and 
are filled with the smallest spiders, of which I counted eighteen in two chambers. 
These are generally of a pale grey-green colour, and their plumpness is curious. Some- 
times, however, it builds on walls with more or less regularity. (Vide Pl. XX1I. figs. 1, 
la, & 10.) The pellets used in construction are, comparatively with the size of the 
insect, very large, and loosely attached to one another: very little smoothing is effected 
exteriorly ; and were it not for the interior binding together of the particles, the cell 
would apparently fall to pieces of itself. 
A small Pemphredon, or another even smaller species, often takes possession of the 
cells of this insect, rendering the identification of the pupa very difficult. The 
chrysalis is more ovate in form than that of Pemphredon; I have no drawing of the 
grub. 
The earth brought is prepared by water, as is the case with all clay-cell-building 
insects which I have observed; and the insect affects the vicinity of water, and hence 
probably is seldom found far from wells. It builds in September and October; and the 
perfect insect sometimes emerges early, although it often delays its appearance until the 
spring (viz. March or April) of the following year, when the heat sets in. 
PisonitTus RuGosus, Smith. (Plate XXI. figs. 5 & 5a.) 
This insect was most abundant in my court-house at Mainpuri. The door-posts had 
been made of old wood which were full of small and large screw-holes, which were 
used by it for the purpose of storing the tiny spiders which it provides for its larva. 
As a proof that it can build with clay, although I never found its cells in any other 
position than in that above described, I may state that when the hole was too large for 
its purpose, it used to fill it in all round with clay, and closed the mouth of its cell with 
a similar, material. 
