SPHEX. 211 
tlieir utility, they are too wise to molest 
them. 
The genus sphex is thus described : 
antennae of ten to sixteen joints, always 
vibrating — upper lip horny — no tongue 
— palpi four — ^jaws strong, crooked, and 
dentated, or toothed — wings expanded 
horizontally over the abdomen ^ — sting 
bharp, and concealed in the abdomen. 
There are several other species of this 
genus, which are equally curious in their 
modes of life ; however, they all agree 
in the characteristics of ferocity, and of 
astonishing strength, in proportion to 
their size. 
Luvy, And, mamma, will you not 
give me some farther account of those 
other species ? 
Mother^. Not at present, my dear; 
hereafter you may read more detailed ac- 
counts than can be given in conversation. 
To-morrow, I mean to present yon with 
a little of the surprising mass of informa- 
tion, which naturalists have collected con- 
cerning wasps and bees. 
M 
