Note Chap. 13. Note (c) — BOOK IV. (continued 2)

[c] Many of the Vespæ-Ichneumones are remarkable enough for their Nidification and Provision for their Young. Those that build in Earth (who commonly have golden and black Rings round their Alvi) having lined the little Cells, they have perforated, lay therein their Eggs, and then carry into them Maggots from the Leaves of Trees, and seal them up close and neatly. And another Ichneumon, more of the Vespa than Musca-Ichneumon Kind (having a little Sting in its Tail, of a black Colour) gave me the Pleasure, one Summer, of seeing it build its Nest in a little Hole in my Study-Window. This Cell was coated about with an odoriferous, resinous Gum, collected, I suppose, from some Fir-Trees near; after which it laid two Eggs (I think the Number was) and then carried in divers Maggots, some bigger than it self. These it very sagaciously sealed close up into the Nest, leaving them there doubtless, partly to assist the Incubation; and especially for Food to the future Young when hatched.

Of this Artifice of these Ichneumons, Aristotle himself takes Notice, (but I believe he was scarce aware of the Eggs sealed up with the Spiders). Ὁι δὲ Σφῆκες Ιχνεύμονες καλούμενοι, &c. As to the Vespæ, called Ichneumones, (less than others) they kill Spiders, and carry them into their Holes, and having sealed them up with Dirt, they therein hatch, and produce those of the same Kind. Hist. Anim. l. 5. c. 20.

To what hath been said about these Ichneumon Wasps, I shall add one Observation more, concerning the providential Structure of their Mouth in every of their Tribes, viz. their Jaws are not only very strong, but nicely sized, curved and placed for gnawing and scraping those compleat little Holes they perforate in Earth, Wood, yea in Stone it self.