198 
HtMENOPTEUA. 
original spot the Salius comes back and then after strolling all round, 
it finds the spider and in this case it stings it once again and then 
drags it some distance forwards and there leaving it, goes again in 
search of a hole. Several times it visits the paralysed spider to be 
sure of its safety. At last it drags the spider to a hole and then it 
does not come out for a very long time. 
Salius flavus is never found frequenting houses as it almost 
exclusively confines itself to catching ground spiders. 
Pompilus is the largest genus with some widespread species, of 
which, perhaps P. analis Fabr. (Fig. 107) is the most common. T. 
V. K. Aiyar made the following observations on this species. This 
red and black wasp is found very commonly haunting the trunks of big 
trees, especially species of Ficus, which generally contain numerous holes 
and chambers inhabited by spiders. I have now and then found indiv¬ 
iduals on the walls of old buildings and also some hunting ground 
spiders, but I have not till now come across any nesting on the 
ground. The following were my notes on the habits of a specimen of 
this species :— 
1st June 1806.-—As I was entering the lucerne field along the avenue 
close to the Waini road, containing clumps of bamboos, I heard a buz¬ 
zing noise about me, and on turning round found a specimen of P. analis 
perch on the ground by my side and search holes. Watched the insect 
for about quarter of an hour. After some search it came across a hole 
very close to a small wooden post in the ground. It entered the hole 
and came back, followed by a big ground spider. Then ensued the usual 
fight. The combat was found to be exactly like that of Salius flavus , 
but with a display of greater fear on the part of the Pompilus and so 
additional care. After securing the captive, it disappeared for a few 
minutes and then came back to assure itself of the captive’s safety as 
in Salius. This happened three times. On one occasion the spider 
moved a little when the Pompilus gave it a sting in addition to the ones 
administered during the combat. I found it impossible to follow it as 
it flew high up every time and disappeared, the black body and the trans¬ 
parent wings adding to the obscurity. In the end it took hold of the 
spider exactly like the Salius and began walking back. It directed its 
course across the avenue towards the bamboo clump on the side of 
