96 
THE ENTOMOLOGIST’S WEEKLY INTELLIGENCER. 
most probable that Sapyga never con- 
structs its own burrow, but avails itself 
of one formed by some other insect. They 
may be observed, not uncommonly, enter- 
ing the burrows of Ckelostoma and of 
different species of Ostnia. The fact of 
the larvae feeding on caterpillars proves 
that Robineau-Desvoidy was deceived by 
finding the cocoons of Sapyga in snail- 
shells occupied also by Osmia helicicola : 
from this circumstance he concluded that 
the Sapyga was parasitic ; but its being 
found there ouly proved that it had equal 
sagacity to the Osmia, and consequently 
availed itself of the ready-formed tubes, 
so admirably adapted for its purposes.” 
Iu the following genus, Pompilus, we 
are not furnished with any general ob- 
servations on the habits of the species. 
This we the more regret, because the 
Pompili, as spider-eaters, occupy a con- 
spicuous post in the entomological world. 
We have heard the story of an inquisi- 
tive boy, who propounded the inquiry, 
“ If spiders eat flies and all other sorts 
of insects, what eats the spiders ? ” Had 
this juvenile ever seen a Pompilus pro- 
visioning its nest, he would have dis- 
covered that his question was not so 
much of a poser as he had fancied. 
In the observations on the genus Am- 
mopkila (p. 80) we read : — 
“ This genus is one of considerable 
extent, although only three species in- 
habit Britain ; its geographical range is 
extensive, being not only found in the 
four quarters of the globe, but in lati- 
tudes extending from the frigid to the 
torrid zones. The habits of the British 
species are well known. A. sabulosa I 
have frequently observed conveying ca- 
terpillars to its burrow, for the food of 
its larva ; having formed the burrow, and 
a chamber at its extremity, the female 
conveys a caterpillar into the cell, upon 
which she deposits and affixes an egg ; 
subsequently she stores up three or four 
additional ones, and her task is com- 
pleted ; each time that she deposits a 
caterpillar, she carefully stops up the en- 
trance with a few pebbles ; she does not 
wait until each caterpillar is devoured be- 
fore supplying another ; if uninterrupted 
by weather or other circumstances, the 
whole are stored up in a few hours, and 
she then proceeds to construct a fresh 
burrow. Shuckard says, ‘ I have never 
observed these insects convey caterpil- 
lars.’ Having, as above stated, observed 
A. sabulosa with her prey, I may here 
add that I have seen this insect with its 
prey probably fifty times, and always 
with a caterpillar. A. viatica appears 
as invariably to prey upon spiders. I 
have never seen it with a caterpillar.” 
The Summer Season in Country 
Places. 
Recently published, in f cap. 8 vo, price 3s. 
cloth, 
J UNE; a Book for the Country in 
Summer Time. By H. T. Stainton. 
“ This little work is pervaded by a 
healthy tone of kindliness, and an elastic 
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think, cannot but exercise a beneficial 
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of Mr. Staintou’s solicitude.” — Athenceum. 
Loudon : Longman & Co. 
Completion of the ‘ Manual.’ 
On the lit of July will be published 
price 3d., No. 33 of 
A MANUAL of BRITISH BUT- 
TERFLIES and MOTHS. By 
H. T. Stainton. 
London: John Van Voorst, 1, Pater- 
noster Row. 
Printed and published by Edward Nkwman, 
Printer, ot No.O, Devonshire Street, Bishops- 
KHte Without, I.ondon, in the County of 
Middlesex.— Saturday, June 18, 1801'. 
