FROM THE NORTH-WEST PROVINCES OF INDIA. 167 
and carry off the skins of the pupa-cases, and any fragment of food they can find, even 
to the skins of caterpillars and spiders. From the cells not only was one Ewmenes 
hatched, but also a beetle of the genus Hmanadia (vide Pl. XXII. fig. 1¢), and a dip- 
2 
terous insect, Anthrax 
EUMENES MAINPURIENSIS, Smith. (Plate XX. figs. 3 & 3a.) 
This nest needs little description. It is beautifully made, has the recurved projecting 
lip like the rest of its congeners, and is constructed of the very finest earth. (Vide 
Pl. XX. figs. 3 & 3a.) The cell figured was empty; hence I cannot say positively 
whether it stores very small caterpillars. The insect much resembles EL. coarctata, an 
English species; the cells also resemble those of the same insect. Figures are also 
given of Humenes edwardsii and its nest (vide Pl. XX. figs. 4&4 a). 
ODYNERUS PUNCTUM, Sauss. (Plate XX. figs. 7 & 7 a.) 
This insect, like the others of its genus, avails itself of any hole of suitable size which 
it can find. In one instance I found a series of six cells (four of them empty, and in 
two of them dead insects) in the boring of a longicorn beetle ; and I have often observed 
them taking green caterpillars into the holes left by large screws in door-posts. In the 
latter case, when the hollow is filled, the opening is covered over most smoothly on a level 
with the surface of the wood, so as often to escape notice; for this insect is in general a 
very neat worker. This covering is sometimes pierced with a hole as fine as that made 
by a pin, and thus the presence of the ichneumon larva is betrayed. When, however, it 
has more room, it most carefully fills up the entire space; and in the shape of the interior 
its cells are rounder than those of Megachile, being thus intermediate in form between 
them and those of Humenes, which builds nearly circular cells. 
These insects work in September and October, and in the latter month appear very 
actively spying for holes and filling them in when found. ‘Their sting is very sharp; 
and they appear to affect green caterpillars, Geometers in particular; in fact I never 
found any other kind in their cells. 
RHYNCHIUM CARNATICUM, Fabr. (Plate XX. figs. 5 & 5a.) 
This insect is very abundant, and may constantly be observed carrying caterpillars to 
fill its cell, which is made in small hollow bamboos. In the illustration it will be seen 
that it has taken possession of a hollow in which a Megachile lanata had already con- 
structed two cells. It first built a floor over the cells, which was constructed of mud, 
very finely worked, stout at the edges and thinner in the middle. It then left a space 
empty and made another floor, after which it commenced its breeding-cells. In these it 
stored caterpillars of many colours; and it finished off with an empty spare cell, which 
it covered with a heavy mass of pellets. ‘The clay is kneaded very finely, and, although 
there are no sides to be made to the cell, the cap is most carefully constructed. 
These insects are a very long time in undergoing their changes; and they vary much 
