SPHEX. 239 
ratory to their change into chrysa- 
lids. The caterpillars, therefore, require 
no farther food, and live long enough 
for the consumption of the young larvae 
of the sphex when hatched. Should the 
provident sphex not find caterpillars large 
enough to answer singly for the provi- 
sion of each cell, she takes two of a smaller 
size, or even three. 
Lucy, What a variety of enemies the 
poor caterpillars have. 
Mother, They have indeed a vast 
number. There is said to be a species of 
sphex in the Isle of France, that makes 
a nest as large as that of the swallow, 
and fixed much in the same manner to a 
wall ; each nest contains several cells, 
and each cell one e^^^^ with a store of 
three or four spiders. 
The Isle of France produces another 
beautiful sphex, which is much regarded 
by the inhabitants for the havoc it makes 
among the cock-roaches, that infest that 
country. 
Lucy. They must be of very great 
