AMMOPHILA S ABU LOS A 
5 
along the sand, her wings in continual vibration, flying for a 
short distance, then settling again. 
After waiting some time, I disinterred the caterpillar, and in 
the most fleshy part I discovered a single oval-shaped egg of a 
creamish colour. This leads me to believe the Ammophila 
deposits one egg only in each grub. When the egg hatches the 
larva feeds upon the caterpillar, and after undergoing its trans- 
formation, works its way out of the burrow. 
On another occasion I observed the Ammophila capture a 
small whitish caterpillar : this was much later in the season 
(August 18), when probably there was a scarcity of the green 
species. The grub being small, the Ammophila clutched it in 
her mandibles, and flew to the distant place of interment, which 
had evidently been previously determined. Leaving the cater- 
pillar near, she very soon effected an opening, but in the work of 
burrowing she completely covered the larva with sand, so that 
when the cell was prepared she searched in vain for her prey 
and impatiently flew away. I conclude from this she cannot be 
guided by scent. I now removed the particles of sand, exposing 
the grub to view, and watched. 
The second lunch bell sounded, but I was not to be inter- 
rupted in my interesting observations ; scientific researches 
taking precedence of all minor necessities. I waited ; and in 
about ten minutes the Ammophila returned. Instantly detecting 
her prey, she seized it and dragged it backwards into the cell. I 
placed a glass tumbler over the opening, so that when the insect 
came forth — having, as I presume, deposited her egg — she found 
herself a prisoner, and whizzed furiously round for a few 
seconds, then lay with her long body flat upon the sand in 
serious reflection ; for this was surely a new experience ! How- 
ever, she was not long in her deliberations. Forgetting her 
captivity in her anxiety to secrete her victim, she commenced 
filling up the hole, scarifying the earth at the surface, sending 
up a little shower of sand which struck against the sides of the 
glass and fell upon her wings, causing her considerable con- 
sternation. 
I now secured the Ammophila and began a careful search 
for the grub. At a depth of about six inches I found it, together 
with another larva of the same family. Both caterpillars were 
still quite fresh. These observations prove that the Ammophila 
is in the habit of provisioning the same cell with more than one 
larva, which is in contradiction to Westwood’s theory. I have 
preserved the Ammophila and her prey in spirits of wine. 
