The Bembex seems aware of this danger, and arranges so as to enter quickly, without serious obstacles, so that the sand blocking the door should yield to a mere push from her head, aided by a rapid sweep of the forelegs. To this end she, so to say, sifts the materials round her abode. In leisure moments, when the sun shines and the larva has its food, and does not need her care, the mother rakes before her door, and puts on one side all the tiny bits of wood, of over-large gravel or leaves, which might get on her path and bar the passage at the perilous moment of return. The Bembex which we saw so hard at work was busy sifting so as to make access to her abode easier; the materials of the vestibule are examined, minutely sorted, and cleared of every encumbrance. Who can tell whether the rapid labour and joyous activity of the insect do not express in their own way her maternal satisfaction and happiness in caring for the roof of the cell which has received the precious trust of the egg? As the Bembex confines herself to exterior household cares without seeking to penetrate the sand, everything must be in order within, and there is nothing pressing to do. We may wait, but for the time the insect will teach us nothing more. Let us therefore examine the underground dwelling. By lightly scratching the bank with the blade of a knife just where the Bembex was oftenest seen, one soon discovers the entrance hall, which, blocked as it is for part of its length, is none the less recognisable by the special look of the materials moved about. This passage, a finger’s-breadth in size, rectilinear or winding, longer or shorter, according to the nature of the ground, measures eight to twelve inches. It leads to a single chamber, hollowed in damp sand, with walls undaubed with mortar, which might prevent landslips and lend polish to the rough surface. Enough if the ceiling lasts while the larva is being fed up. Future falling-in matters little when the larva is enclosed in its stout cocoon—a kind of strong box, which we shall see in process of construction. In workmanship the cell is as rustic as possible, being merely a rude excavation with no well-determined form, low roofed, and of a size which might hold two or three nests.