362 THE BLUE SAND-WASP. 



it firm. The hole being filled, and equalled with 

 the superficies of the earth, that its entrance might 

 not be discovered, it took two fir-leaves that were 

 near, and laid them by the mouth, most probably to 

 mark, the place*." 



THE BLUE SAND-WASP f. 



These little creatures form for their cells cylindri- 

 cal pipes or clay, each about the thickness and 

 length of the little finger, against the timber under 

 the roofs of houses, or under pales where they may 

 be sheltered from the weather. They torm eight or 

 ten of them by the side of and joining to each other. 

 Each of these tubes is divided by several partitions, 

 betwixt every one of which the female lays an egg ; 

 and as they are formed they are stopped up ; but 

 none of them without an egg, and the bodies of 

 several insects to support the future young before it 

 can come to light. When one is stopped up another 

 is begun at its end, and so on till the whole work 

 is completed. These insects are silent at all times., 

 except during the plastering and forming of their 

 cells j and they no sooner set about their work than 

 they always emit an odd but pleasing sound, which 

 is audible at the distance of ten or twelve yards, 

 and seems to render their labour cheerful. It is ex- 

 ceedingly diverting to observe the surprising dex- 

 terity and the whimsical gesticulations that they 



* Ray's Hi.t. Insects, p. 254. 



-t Synonyms — Sphex cyanea. Linn. — Vespa Ichneumon cscrula, 

 Catesby.— — Ammophila cyanea. Kirby. 



