MAY. 



119 



way, formed of sand. In the interior, the female buries 

 eio-ht or ten caterpillars, similar in species and size, arrang- 

 ing them in a spiral direction ; an egg is then deposited in 

 the middle, and the mouth closed. The young Wasp, when 

 hatched, devours the caterpillars, which ape just sufficient 

 for its support ; then assumes the pupa state, in a cocoon 

 of slender texture; and at length, becoming a perfect in- 

 sect, flies away. 



There are about twenty British species of this genus, but 

 the specific characters are liable to considerable variation, 

 which renders them difficult to investigate. 



LEProOPTEKA. PAPILIONID.E. 



PAPILIO. 



Generic Distinctions. — Antenna rather long, with a slightly 

 curved club ; palpi short, third joint minute ; legs all formed for 

 walking ; Jiinder wings scolloped, with a long narrow projection 

 Uke a tail, and grooved to receive the body ; caterpillars smooth 

 and naked ; chrysalis angular, and fixed by a band round the 

 middle. 



Papilio Machaon. (Plate V.) Swallow-tail. This most 

 beautiful insect is the largest of our Butterflies, the female 



