356 AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOUNG. 



merous tribes of weevils (Curculio, L.) by the long 

 slender snout with which their head is provided. It is 

 with this that C. micum pierces the shell of the nut, and 

 the weevil (Calandra granaria, F.) the skin of the grains 

 of wheat, in which they respectively deposit their eggs, 

 prudently introducing one only into each nut or grain, 

 which is sufficient, but not more than sufficient, for the 

 nourishment of the grub that will inhabit it. 



II. Hitherto I have adverted to those insects only 

 which perish before their young come into existence, 

 and can therefore evince their affection for them in no 

 other way than by placing the eggs whence they are to 

 spring in secure situations stored with food; and these 

 include by far the largest portion of the race. A very 

 considerable number, however, extend their cares much 

 further : they not only watch over their eggs after depo- 

 siting them, but attend upon their young, when excluded, 

 with an affectionate assiduity equal to any thing exhibit- 

 ed amongst the larger animals, and in the highest degree 

 interesting. Of this description are some solitary insects, 

 as several species of the Linnean genus Sphex, earwigs, 

 field-bugs, and spiders : and those insects which live in 

 societies, namely, ants, bees, wasps, and termites : the 

 most striking traits of whose history in these respects I 

 shall endeavour to lay before you. 



You have seen that the greater number of the Linnean 

 Spheges, (Sphex, Bembex, F.) after depositing their eggs 

 in cells stored with a supply of food, take no further 

 care of them. Some, however, adopt a different proce- 

 dure. One of these, called by Bonnet the Mason-wasp^ 



