346 AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOUNG. 



and making a small circuit returned and took it up again. 

 But for the ensuing twenty or twenty-five feet it never 

 stopped, but proceeded in a direct line for its burrow 

 with the utmost speed. When opposite the hole, which 

 was in a sand bank by the way side, it made a sharp 

 turn, as evidently aware of being in the neighbourhood 

 of its abode, but when advanced a little further laid down 

 its burthen and went to reconnoitre. At first it climbed 

 up the bank, but, as if discovering that this was not the 

 direction, soon returned, and, after another survey per- 

 ceiving the hole, took up the spider and dragged it in 

 after it. 



In the two instances above given, one dead caterpillar 

 or spider only was deposited in each hole. But an in- 

 sect described by Reaumur under the name of the ma- 

 son-wasp (Epipone sjmiipes, Latr.), very common in 

 some parts of England, after having excavated a burrow, 

 with an ingenuity to which on a future occasion I shall 

 draw your attention, places along with its egg as food for 

 the future young, about twelve little green grubs without 

 feet, which it has carefully selected full grown and con- 

 veyed without injuring them. You will inquire, Why this 

 difference of procedure ? With regard to the choice of a 

 number of small grubs rather than of one large caterpil- 

 lar, what I have said in a former letter on the subject of 

 different species of this tribe being appointed to prey 

 upon and thus keep within due limits the larvae of diffe- 

 rent kinds of insects, will be a sufficient answer. But 

 one circumstance creditable to the talents of the mason- 

 wasp as a skilful purveyor should not be omitted, namely, 

 that the number of grubs laid up is not always the same, 



