360 the common sand-wasp. 



than itself. These it very sagaciously sealed up 

 with great carefulness in the nest, and then altoge- 

 ther left it. 



THE SAND-WASP TRIBE. 



THE Sand- wasps were separated from the last 

 tribe by the Rev. Mr. Kirby ; though, in their man- 

 ners and economy, the insects of each bear a near 

 resemblance. In their external appearance there 

 are, however, characteristics sufficient to admit, 

 with great propriety, of two genera. 



In these the beak is conical, inflected, and con- 

 tains a retractile tubular tongue that is cleft at the 

 end. The jaws form a kind of forceps, and are 

 three-toothed at the tip ; and the antenna:, in each 

 sex, are thread-shaped, with about fourteen joints, 

 or articulations. The eves are oval, and the wings 

 plane. The sting is pungent, and concealed in the 

 abdomen. 



THE COMMON SAND-WASP*. 



In this species the antennas have thirteen articu- 

 lations, and are inserted in a hollow on the front ot 

 the head The abdomen is club-shaped, and joined 

 to the thorax by a long two-jointed pedicle. The 



* Synonyms. — Spliex sabuk>sa. Linn. — Ammophila vulgaris. Kir- 

 by in Linn. Tran. 



