TH"E WASP TRIBE. 363 



of the grashoppers till its change into a chrysalis. 

 It remains in this state for some time ; but when it 

 becomes perfected it eats its way out, and flies off. 



The grashoppers caught for the young are often 

 much larger and more strong than the parent insect, 

 so that considerable care is necessary in attacking 

 them. She is said to seize them suddenly, and to 

 plunge her sting into their body in such a manner 

 as not to kill, but merely to render them inactive : 

 for, as in the last species, it is necessary that they 

 should be kept alive for some time in the nest, or 

 they would otherwise putrefy, and become unfit for 

 the purpose they were designed to answer*. 



The Sand-wasp is above an inch long, and of a 

 black colour, with the wings inclining to violet. It 

 is an inhabitant of North America, where it feeds 

 on grashoppers and other insects, as well as on va- 

 rious kinds of fruit. 



THE WASP TRIBE. 



THE Wasps are in general found in large socie- 

 ties like the bees, constructing curious combs or 

 nests, in which they deposit their eggs. Some, 

 however, are solitary, and form for each young a se- 

 parate nest. Their larva are soft, without feet, and 

 are fed with the nectar of flowers and honey, but of 



Phil. Tran. vol, xlvi. p. 126. 



