TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
2 28 
The species of the genus Odynerus, or the False Wasps, are pretty 
little black insects banded with yellow tints, and they are most 
interesting on account of their agility, graceful movements, and 
singular powers of nest constructing. Odynerus parietum is a 
well-known species, and some years since our attention was 
directed to a very curious spectacle, which was observable at a 
short distance from Denain, in the Department du Nord, early in 
June. The roadside was bordered by a sandy bank of about 
Cemonus lugubris and its nests. 
seven feet in height, which encircled a great field of lucern. The 
hedge or bank was formed of a rather dense soil, and was 
exposed to the full power of the sun ; thousands and hundreds of 
thousands of this Odynerus were flying about the field and hunting 
over and upon the plants with wonderful perseverance. They 
brought little green larvae between their mandibles, dug holes in 
the earth, made little galleries, introduced their prey, and closed 
up the cells, each one pursuing its particular duty without being 
in the least disquieted by the thousands that were doing the same 
thing all around. The liveliness and animation of the scene was 
