CHAPTER1。THEPOMPILI。(ThisessayshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththatontheBlack-belliedTarantula。Cf。“TheLifeoftheSpider，“byJ。HenriFabre，translatedbyAlexanderTeixeiradeMattos:chapter1——Translator\'sNote。)
TheAmmophila\'scaterpillar(Cf。“TheHuntingWasps，“byJ。HenriFabre，translatedbyAlexanderTeixeiradeMattos:chapters13and18to20；andChapter11ofthepresentvolume——Translator\'sNote。)，theBembex(Cf。
idem:chapter14——Translator\'sNote。)，Gad-fly，theCerceris(Cf。idem:
chapters1to3——Translator\'sNote。)，Buprestis(ABeetleusuallyremarkableforherbrilliantcolouring。Cf。idem:chapter1——Translator\'sNote。)andWeevil，theSphex(Cf。idem:chapter4to10——Translator\'sNote。)，Locust，CricketandEphippiger(Cf。“TheLifeoftheGrasshopper，“
byJ。HenriFabre，translatedbyAlexanderTeixeiradeMattos:chapters13
and14——Translator\'sNote。):alltheseinoffensivepeaceablevictimsarelikethesillySheepofourslaughter-houses；theyallowthemselvestobeoperateduponbytheparalyser，submittingstupidly，withoutofferingmuchresistance。Themandiblesgape，thelegskickandprotest，thebodywrigglesandtwists；andthatisall。Theyhavenoweaponscapableofcontendingwiththeassassin\'sdagger。Ishouldliketoseethehuntressgrapplingwithanimposingadversary，oneascraftyasherself，anexpertlayerofambushesand，likeher，bearingapoisoneddirk。Ishouldliketoseethebanditarmedwithherstilettoconfrontedbyanotherbanditequallyfamiliarwiththeuseofthatweapon。Issuchaduelpossible？Yes，itisquitepossibleandevenquitecommon。OntheonehandwehavethePompili，theprotagonistswhoarealwaysvictorious；ontheotherhandwehavetheSpiders，theprotagonistswhoarealwaysoverthrown。
Whothathasdivertedhimself，howeverlittle，withthestudyofinsectsdoesnotknowthePompili？Againstoldwalls，atthefootofthebanksbesideunfrequentedfootpaths，inthestubbleaftertheharvest，inthetanglesofdrygrass，wherevertheSpiderspreadshernets，whohasnotseenthembusilyatwork，nowrunninghitherandthither，atrandom，theirwingsraisedandquiveringabovetheirbacks，nowmovingfromplacetoplaceinflightslongorshort？Theyarehuntingforaquarrywhichmighteasilyturnthetablesanditselfpreyuponthetrapperlyinginwaitforit。
ThePompilifeedtheirlarvaesolelyonSpiders；andtheSpidersfeedonanyinsect，commensuratewiththeirsize，thatiscaughtintheirnets。
Whilethefirstpossessasting，thesecondhavetwopoisonedfangs。Oftentheirstrengthisequallymatched；indeedtheadvantageisnotseldomontheSpider\'sside。TheWasphasherrusesofwar，hercunninglypremeditatedstrokes:theSpiderhasherwilesandhersettraps；thefirsthastheadvantageofgreatrapidityofmovement，whilethesecondisabletorelyuponherperfidiousweb；theonehasastingwhichcontrivestopenetratetheexactpointtocauseparalysis，theotherhasfangswhichbitethebackoftheneckanddealsuddendeath。Wefindtheparalyserontheonehandandtheslaughtererontheother。Whichofthetwowillbecometheother\'sprey？
Ifweconsideronlytherelativestrengthoftheadversaries，thepoweroftheirweapons，thevirulenceoftheirpoisonsandtheirdifferentmodesofaction，thescalewouldveryoftenbeweightedinfavouroftheSpider。
SincethePompilusalwaysemergesvictoriousfromthiscontest，whichappearstobefullofperilforher，shemusthaveaspecialmethod，ofwhichIwouldfainlearnthesecret。
Inourpartofthecountry，themostpowerfulandcourageousSpider-
huntressistheRingedPompilus(Calicurgusannulatus，FAB。)，cladinblackandyellow。Shestandshighonherlegs；andherwingshaveblacktips，therestbeingyellow，asthoughexposedtosmoke，likeabloater。HersizeisaboutthatoftheHornet(Vespacrabro)。Sheisrare。Iseethreeorfourofherinthecourseoftheyear；andIneverfailtohaltinthepresenceoftheproudinsect，rapidlystridingthroughthedustofthefieldswhenthedog-daysarrive。Itsaudaciousair，itsuncouthgait，itswar-likebearinglongmademesuspectthattoobtainitspreyithadtomakesomeimpossible，terrible，unspeakablecapture。Andmyguesswascorrect。BydintofwaitingandwatchingIbeheldthatvictim；Isawitinthehuntress\'mandibles。ItistheBlack-belliedTarantula，theterribleSpiderwhoslaysaCarpenter-beeoraBumble-beeoutrightwithonestrokeofherweapon；theSpiderwhokillsaSparroworaMole；theformidablecreaturewhosebitewouldperhapsnotbewithoutdangertoourselves。Yes，thisisthebilloffarewhichtheproudPompilusprovidesforherlarva。
Thisspectacle，oneofthemoststrikingwithwhichtheHuntingWaspshaveeverprovidedme，hasasyetbeenofferedtomyeyesbutonce；andthatwasclosebesidemyruralhome，inthefamouslaboratoryoftheharmas。(Theenclosedpieceofwastelandonwhichtheauthorstudiedhisinsectsintheirnativestate。Cf。“TheLifeoftheFly，“byJ。HenriFabre，translatedbyAlexanderTeixeiradeMattos:chapter1——Translator\'sNote。)
Icanstillseetheintrepidpoacherdraggingbytheleg，atthefootofawall，themonstrousprizewhichshehadjustsecured，doubtlessatnogreatdistance。Atthebaseofthewallwasahole，anaccidentalchinkbetweensomeofthestones。TheWaspinspectedthecavern，notforthefirsttime:
shehadalreadyreconnoitreditandthepremiseshadsatisfiedher。Theprey，deprivedofthepowerofmovement，waswaitingsomewhere，Iknownotwhere；andthehuntresshadgonebacktofetchitandstoreitaway。ItwasatthismomentthatImether。ThePompilusgavealastglanceatthecave，removedafewsmallfragmentsofloosemortar；andwiththatherpreparationswerecompleted。TheLycosa(TheSpiderinquestionisknownindifferentlyastheBlack-belliedTarantulaandtheNarbonneLycosa——
Translator\'sNote。)wasintroduced，draggedalong，bellyupwards，byoneleg。Ididnotinterfere。PresentlytheWaspreappearedonthesurfaceandcarelesslypushedinfrontoftheholethebitsofmortarwhichshehadjustextractedfromit。Thensheflewaway。Itwasallover。Theeggwaslaid；theinsecthadfinishedforbetterorforworse；andIwasabletoproceedwithmyexaminationoftheburrowanditscontents。
ThePompilushasdonenodigging。Itisreallyanaccidentalholewithspaciouswindingpassages，theresultofthemason\'snegligenceandnotoftheWasp\'sindustry。Theclosingofthecavityisquiteasroughandsummary。Afewcrumbsofmortar，heapedupbeforethedoorway，formabarricaderatherthanadoor。Amightyhuntermakesapoorarchitect。TheTarantula\'smurderessdoesnotknowhowtodigacellforherlarva；shedoesnotknowhowtofilluptheentrancebysweepingdustintoit。Thefirstholeencounteredatthefootofawallcontentsher，providedthatitberoomyenough；alittleheapofrubbishwilldoforadoor。Nothingcouldbemoreexpeditious。
Iwithdrawthegamefromthehole。TheeggisstucktotheSpider，nearthebeginningofthebelly。Aclumsymovementonmypartmakesitfalloffatthemomentofextraction。Itisallover:thethingwillnothatch；Ishallnotbeabletoobservethedevelopmentofthelarva。TheTarantulaliesmotionless，flexibleasinlife，withnotatraceofawound。Inshort，wehaveherelifewithoutmovement。Fromtimetotimethetipsofthetarsiquiveralittle；andthatisall。Accustomedofoldtothesedeceptivecorpses，Icanseeinmymind\'seyewhathashappened:theSpiderhasbeenstungintheregionofthethorax，nodoubtonceonly，inviewoftheconcentrationofhernervoussystem。Iplacethevictiminaboxinwhichitretainsallthepliancyandallthefreshnessoflifefromthe2ndofAugusttothe20thofSeptember，thatistosay，forsevenweeks。Thesemiraclesarefamiliartous(Cf。“TheHuntingWasps“:passim——Translator\'sNote。)；thereisnoneedtolingeroverthemhere。
Themostimportantmatterhasescapedme。WhatIwanted，whatIstillwanttoseeisthePompilusengagedinmortalcombatwiththeLycosa。Whataduel，inwhichthecunningoftheonehastoovercometheterribleweaponsoftheother！DoestheWaspentertheburrowtosurprisetheTarantulaatthebottomofherlair？Suchtemeritywouldbefataltoher。WherethebigBumble-beediesaninstantdeath，theaudaciousvisitorwouldperishthemomentsheentered。Isnottheotherthere，facingher，readytosnapatthebackofherhead，inflictingawoundwhichwouldresultinsuddendeath？No，thePompilusdoesnotentertheSpider\'sparlour，thatisobvious。DoesshesurprisetheSpideroutsideherfortress？ButtheLycosaisastay-at-homeanimal；Idonotseeherstrayingabroadduringthesummer。Later，intheautumn，whenthePompilihavedisappeared，Shewandersabout；turninggipsy，shetakestheopenairwithhernumerousfamily，whichshecarriesonherback。Apartfromthesematernalstrolls，shedoesnotappeartometoleavehercastle；andthePompilus，Ishouldthink，hasnogreatchanceofmeetingheroutside。Theproblem，weperceive，isbecomingcomplicated:thehuntresscannotmakeherwayintotheburrow，whereshewouldrisksuddendeath；andtheSpider\'ssedentaryhabitsmakeanencounteroutsidetheburrowimprobable。Hereisariddlewhichwouldbeinterestingtodecipher。LetusendeavourtodosobyobservingotherSpider-hunters；analogywillenableustodrawaconclusion。
IhaveoftenwatchedPompiliofeveryspeciesontheirhunting-expeditions，butIhaveneversurprisedthementeringtheSpider\'slodgingwhenthelatterwasathome。Whetherthislodgingbeafunnelplungingitsneckintoaholeinsomewall，anawningstretchedamidthestubble，atentmodelledupontheArab\'s，asheathformedofafewleavesboundtogether，oranetwithaguard-roomattached，whenevertheownerisindoorsthesuspiciousPompilusholdsaloof。Whenthedwellingisvacant，itisanothermatter:
theWaspmoveswitharroganteaseoverthosewebs，springesandcablesinwhichsomanyotherinsectswouldremainensnared。Thesilkenthreadsdonotseemtohaveanyholduponher。Whatisshedoing，exploringthoseemptywebs？SheiswatchingtoseewhatishappeningontheadjacentwebswheretheSpiderisambushed。ThePompilusthereforefeelsaninsuperablereluctancetomakestraightfortheSpiderwhenthelatterisathomeinthemidstofhersnares。Andsheisright，ahundredtimesover。IftheTarantulaunderstandsthepracticeofthedagger-thrustintheneck，whichisimmediatelyfatal，theothercannotbeunacquaintedwithit。WoethentotheimprudentWaspwhopresentsherselfuponthethresholdofaSpiderofapproximatelyequalstrength！
OfthevariousinstanceswhichIhavecollectedofthiscautiousreserveontheSpider-huntress\'partIwillconfinemyselftothefollowing，whichwillbesufficienttoprovemypoint。Byjoining，withsilkenstrands，thethreefolioleswhichformtheleafofVirgil\'scytisus，aSpiderhasbuiltherselfagreenarbour，ahorizontalsheath，openateitherend。AquestingPompiluscomesuponthescene，findsthegametoherlikingandpopsinherheadattheentranceofthecell。TheSpiderimmediatelyretreatstotheotherend。ThehuntressgoesroundtheSpider\'sdwellingandreappearsattheotherdoor。AgaintheSpiderretreats，returningtothefirstentrance。
TheWaspalsoreturnstoit，butalwaysbytheoutside。Scarcelyhasshedoneso，whentheSpiderrushesfortheoppositeopening；andsoonforfullyaquarterofanhour，bothofthemcomingandgoingfromoneendofthecylindertotheother，theSpiderinsideandthePompilusoutside。
Thequarrywasavaluableone，itseems，sincetheWasppersistedforalongtimeinherattempts，whichwereinvariablydefeated；however，thehuntresshadtoabandonthem，baffledbythisperpetualrunningtoandfro。
ThePompilusmadeoff；andtheSpider，oncemoreonthewatch，patientlyawaitedtheheedlessMidges。WhatshouldtheWasphavedonetocapturethismuch-covetedgame？Sheshouldhaveenteredtheverdantcylinder，theSpider\'sdwelling，andpursuedtheSpiderdirect，inherownhouse，insteadofremainingoutside，goingfromonedoortotheother。Withsuchswiftnessanddexterityashers，itseemedtomeimpossiblethatthestrokeshouldfail:thequarrymovedclumsily，alittlesideways，likeaCrab。Ijudgedittobeaneasymatter；thePompilusthoughtithighlydangerous。To-dayI
amofheropinion:ifshehadenteredtheleafytube，themistressofthehousewouldhaveoperatedonherneckandthehuntresswouldhavebecomethequarry。
YearspassedandtheparalyseroftheSpidersstillrefusedtorevealhersecret；Iwasbadlyservedbycircumstances，couldfindnoleisure，wasabsorbedinunrelentingpreoccupations。Atlength，duringmylastyearatOrange，thelightdawneduponme。Mygardenwasenclosedbyanoldwall，blackenedandruinedbytime，where，inthechinksbetweenthestones，livedapopulationofSpiders，representedmoreparticularlybySegestriaperfidia。ThisisthecommonBlackSpider，orCellarSpider。Sheisdeepblackallover，exceptingthemandibles，whichareasplendidmetallicgreen。Hertwopoisoneddaggerslooklikeaproductofthemetal-worker\'sart，likethefinestbronze。Inanymassofabandonedmasonrythereisnotaquietcorner，notaholethesizeofone\'sfinger，inwhichtheSegestriadoesnotsetuphouse。Herwebisawidelyflaringfunnel，whoseopenend，atmostaspanacross，liesspreaduponthesurfaceofthewall，whereitisheldinplacebyradiatingthreads。Thisconicalsurfaceiscontinuedbyatubewhichrunsintoaholeinthewall。Attheendisthedining-roomtowhichtheSpiderretirestodevourathereasehercapturedprey。
Withhertwohind-legsstuckintothetubetoobtainapurchaseandthesixothersspreadaroundtheorifice，thebettertoperceiveoneverysidethequiverwhichgivesthesignalofacapture，theSegestriawaitsmotionless，attheentranceofherfunnel，foraninsecttobecomeentangledinthesnare。LargeFlies，Drone-flies，dizzilygrazingsomethreadofthesnarewiththeirwings，areherusualvictims。AtthefirstflutterofthenettedFly，theSpiderrunsorevenleapsforward，butsheisnowsecuredbyacordwhichescapesfromthespinneretsandwhichhasitsendfastenedtothesilkentube。Thispreventsherfromfallingasshedartsalongaverticalsurface。Bittenatthebackofthehead，theDrone-flyisdeadinamoment；andtheSegestriacarrieshimintoherlair。
Thankstothismethodandthesehunting-appliances——anambushatthebottomofasilkenwhirlpool，radiatingsnares，alife-linewhichholdsherfrombehindandallowshertotakeasuddenrushwithoutriskingafall——theSegestriaisabletocatchgamelessinoffensivethantheDrone-fly。A
CommonWasp，theytellme，doesnotdaunther。ThoughIhavenottestedthis，Ireadilybelieveit，forIwellknowtheSpider\'sboldness。
Thisboldnessisreinforcedbytheactivityofthevenom。ItisenoughtohaveseentheSegestriacapturesomelargeFlytobeconvincedoftheoverwhelmingeffectofherfangsupontheinsectsbittenintheneck。ThedeathoftheDrone-fly，entangledinthesilkenfunnel，isreproducedbythesuddendeathoftheBumble-beeonenteringtheTarantula\'sburrow。Weknowtheeffectofthepoisononman，thankstoAntoineDuges\'
investigations。(AntoineLouisDuges(1797-1838)，aFrenchphysicianandphysiologist，authorofa“Traitedephysiologiecompareedel\'hommeetdesanimaux“andotherscientificworks——Translator\'sNote。)Letuslistentothebraveexperimenter:
“ThetreacherousSegestria，orGreatCellarSpider，reputedpoisonousinourpartofthecountry，waschosenfortheprincipalsubjectofourexperiments。Shewasthree-quartersofaninchlong，measuredfromthemandiblestothespinnerets。Takingherinmyfingersfrombehind，bythelegs，whichwerefoldedandgatheredtogether(thisisthewaytocatchholdofliveSpiders，ifyouwouldavoidtheirbiteandmasterthemwithoutmutilatingthem)，Iplacedheronvariousobjectsandonmyclothes，withouthermanifestingtheleastdesiretodoanyharm；buthardlywasshelaidonthebareskinofmyfore-armwhensheseizedafoldoftheepidermisinherpowerfulmandibles，whichareofametallicgreen，anddroveherfangsdeepintoit。Forafewmomentssheremainedhanging，althoughleftfree；thenshereleasedherself，fellandfled，leavingtwotinywounds，asixthofaninchapart，red，buthardlybleeding，withaslightextravasationroundtheedgeandresemblingthewoundsproducedbyalargepin。
“Atthemomentofthebite，thesensationwassharpenoughtodeservethenameofpain；andthiscontinuedforfiveorsixminutesmore，butnotsoforcibly。Imightcompareitwiththesensationproducedbythestinging-
nettle。Awhitishtumefactionalmostimmediatelysurroundedthetwopricks；
andthecircumference，withinaradiusofaboutaninch，wascolouredanerysipelasred，accompaniedbyaveryslightswelling。Inanhourandahalf，ithadalldisappeared，exceptthemarkofthepricks，whichpersistedforseveraldays，asanyothersmallwoundwouldhavedone。ThiswasinSeptember，inrathercoolweather。Perhapsthesymptomswouldhavedisplayedsomewhatgreaterseverityatawarmerseason。“
Withoutbeingserious，theeffectoftheSegestria\'spoisonisplainlymarked。Astingcausingsharppainandswelling，withtherednessoferysipelas，isnotriflingmatter。WhileDuges\'experimentreassuresusinsofarasweourselvesareconcerned，itisnonethelessthefactthattheCellarSpider\'spoisonisaterriblethingforinsects，whetherbecauseofthesmallsizeofthevictim，orbecauseitactswithspecialefficacyuponanorganizationwhichdifferswidelyfromourown。OnePompilus，thoughgreatlyinferiortotheSegestriainsizeandstrength，neverthelessmakeswarupontheBlackSpiderandsucceedsinoverpoweringthisformidablequarry。ThisisPompilusapicalis，VANDERLIND，whoishardlylargerthantheHive-bee，butverymuchslenderer。Sheisofauniformblack；herwingsareacloudybrown，withtransparenttips。LetusfollowherinherexpeditionstotheoldwallinhabitedbytheSegestria:wewilltrackherforwholeafternoonsduringtheJulyheats；andwewillarmourselveswithpatience，fortheperilouscaptureofthegamemusttaketheWaspalongtime。
TheSpider-huntressexploresthewallminutely；sheruns，leapsandflies；
shecomesandgoes，flittingtoandfro。Theantennaequiver；thewings，raisedabovetheback，continuallybeatoneagainsttheother。Ah，heresheis，closetoaSegestria\'sfunnel！TheSpider，whohashithertoremainedinvisible，instantlyappearsattheentrancetothetube；shespreadshersixfore-legsoutside，readytoreceivethehuntress。Farfromfleeingbeforetheterribleapparition，shewatchesthewatcher，fullypreparedtopreyuponherenemy。BeforethisintrepiddemeanourthePompilusdrawsback。Sheexaminesthecovetedgame，walksrounditforamoment，thengoesawaywithoutattemptinganything。Whenshehasgone，theSegestriaretiresindoors，backwards。ForthesecondtimetheWasppassesnearaninhabitedfunnel。TheSpideronthelookoutatonceshowsherselfonthethresholdofherdwelling，halfoutofhertube，readyfordefenceandperhapsalsoforattack。ThePompilusmovesawayandtheSegestriareentershertube。A
freshalarm:thePompilusreturns；anotherthreateningdemonstrationonthepartoftheSpider。Herneighbour，alittlelater，doesbetterthanthis:
whilethehuntressisprowlingaboutintheneighbourhoodofthefunnel，shesuddenlyleapsoutofthetube，withthelifelinewhichwillsaveherfromfalling，shouldshemissherfooting，attachedtoherspinnerets；sherushesforwardandhurlsherselfinfrontofthePompilus，atadistanceofsomeeightinchesfromherburrow。TheWasp，asthoughterrified，immediatelydecamps；andtheSegestrianolesssuddenlyretreatsindoors。
Here，wemustadmit，isastrangequarry:itdoesnothide，butiseagertoshowitself；itdoesnotrunaway，butflingsitselfinfrontofthehunter。Ifourobservationsweretoceasehere，couldwesaywhichofthetwoisthehunterandwhichthehunted？ShouldwenotfeelsorryfortheimprudentPompilus？Letathreadofthetrapentangleherleg；anditisallupwithher。Theotherwillbethere，stabbingherinthethroat。WhatthenisthemethodwhichsheemploysagainsttheSegestria，alwaysonthealert，readyfordefence，audacioustothepointofaggression？ShallI
surprisethereaderifItellhimthatthisproblemfilledmewiththemosteagerinterest，thatitheldmeforweeksincontemplationbeforethatcheerlesswall？Nevertheless，mytalewillbeashortone。
OnseveraloccasionsIseethePompilussuddenlyflingherselfononeoftheSpider\'slegs，seizeitwithhermandiblesandendeavourtodrawtheanimalfromitstube。Itisasuddenrush，asurpriseattack，tooquicktopermittheSpidertoparryit。Fortunately，thelatter\'stwohind-legsarefirmlyhookedtothedwelling；andtheSegestriaescapeswithajerk，fortheother，havingdeliveredhershockattack，hastenstoreleaseherhold；
ifshepersisted，theaffairmightendbadlyforher。Havingfailedinthisassault，theWasprepeatstheprocedureatotherfunnels；shewillevenreturntothefirstwhenthealarmissomewhatassuaged。Stillhoppingandfluttering，sheprowlsaroundthemouth，whencetheSegestriawatchesher，withherlegsoutspread。Shewaitsforthepropitiousmoment；sheleapsforward，seizesaleg，tugsatitandspringsoutofreach。Moreoftenthannot，theSpiderholdsfast；sometimessheisdraggedoutofthetube，toadistanceofafewinches，butimmediatelyreturns，nodoubtwiththeaidofherunbrokenlifeline。
ThePompilus\'intentionisplain:shewantstoejecttheSpiderfromherfortressandflinghersomedistanceaway。Somuchperseveranceleadstosuccess。Thistimeallgoeswell:withavigorousandwell-timedtugtheWasphaspulledtheSegestriaoutandatonceletsherdroptotheground。
Bewilderedbyherfallandevenmoredemoralizedbybeingwrestedfromherambush，theSpiderisnolongertheboldadversarythatshewas。Shedrawsherlegstogetherandcowersintoadepressioninthesoil。Thehuntressisthereontheinstanttooperateontheevictedanimal。Ihavebarelytimetodrawneartowatchthetragedywhenthevictimisparalysedbyathrustofthestinginthethorax。
Hereatlast，inallitsMachiavelliancunning，istheshrewdmethodofthePompilus。ShewouldberiskingherlifeifsheattackedtheSegestriainherhome；theWaspissoconvincedofitthatshetakesgoodcarenottocommitthisimprudence；butsheknowsalsothat，oncedislodgedfromherdwelling，theSpiderisastimid，ascowardlyasshewasboldatthecentreofherfunnel。Thewholepointofhertactics，therefore，liesindislodgingthecreature。Thisdone，therestisnothing。
TheTarantula-huntressmustbehaveinthesamemanner。Enlightenedbyherkinswoman，Pompilusapicalis，mymindpicturesherwanderingstealthilyaroundtheLycosa\'srampart。TheLycosahurriesupfromthebottomofherburrow，believingthatavictimisapproaching；sheascendsherverticaltube，spreadingherfore-legsoutside，readytoleap。ButitistheRingedPompiluswholeaps，seizesaleg，tugsandhurlstheLycosafromherburrow。TheSpiderishenceforthacravenvictim，whowillletherselfbestabbedwithoutdreamingofemployinghervenomousfangs。Herecrafttriumphsoverstrength；andthiscraftisnotinferiortomine，when，wishingtocapturetheTarantula，ImakeherbiteaspikeofgrasswhichI
dipintotheburrow，leadhergentlytothesurfaceandthenwithasuddenjerkthrowheroutside。FortheentomologistasforthePompilus，theessentialthingistomaketheSpiderleaveherstronghold。Afterthisthereisnodifficultyincatchingher，thankstotheutterbewildermentoftheevictedanimal。
TwocontrastingpointsimpressmeinthefactswhichIhavejustsetforth:
theshrewdnessofthePompilusandthefollyoftheSpider。IwilladmitthattheWaspmaygraduallyhaveacquired，asbeinghighlybeneficialtoherposterity，theinstinctbywhichshefirstofallsojudiciouslydragsthevictimfromitsrefuge，inordertheretoparalyseitwithoutincurringdanger，providedthatyouwillexplainwhytheSegestria，possessinganintellectnolessgiftedthanthatofthePompilus，doesnotyetknowhowtocounteractthetrickofwhichshehassolongbeenthevictim。WhatwouldtheBlackSpiderneedtodotoescapeherexterminator？Practicallynothing:itwouldbeenoughforhertowithdrawintohertube，insteadofcominguptopostherselfattheentrance，likeasentry，whenevertheenemyisintheneighbourhood。Itisverybraveofher，Iagree，butalsoveryrisky。ThePompiluswillpounceupononeofthelegsspreadoutsidetheburrowfordefenceandattack；andthebesiegedSpiderwillperish，betrayedbyherownboldness。Thispostureisexcellentwhenwaitingforprey。ButtheWaspisnotaquarry；sheisanenemyandoneofthemostdreadedofenemies。TheSpiderknowsthis。AtthesightoftheWasp，insteadofplacingherselffearlesslybutfoolishlyonherthreshold，whydoesshenotretreatintoherfortress，wheretheotherwouldnotattackher？Theaccumulatedexperienceofgenerationsshouldhavetaughtherthiselementarytacticaldevice，whichisofthegreatestvaluetotheprosperityofherrace。IfthePompilushasperfectedhermethodofattack，whyhasnottheSegestriaperfectedhermethodofdefence？Isitpossiblethatcenturiesuponcenturiesshouldhavemodifiedtheonetoitsadvantagewithoutsucceedinginmodifyingtheother？HereIamutterlyataloss。AndIsaytomyself，inallsimplicity:sincethePompilimusthaveSpiders，theformerhavepossessedtheirpatientcunningandtheothertheirfoolishaudacityfromalltime。Thismaybepuerile，ifyouliketothinkitso，andnotinkeepingwiththetranscendentalaimsofourfashionabletheorists；theargumentcontainsneitherthesubjectivenortheobjectivepointofview，neitheradaptationnordifferentiation，neitheratavismnorevolutionism。Verywell，butatleastIunderstandit。
LetusreturntothehabitsofPompilusapicalis。Withoutexpectingresultsofanyparticularinterest，forincaptivitytherespectivetalentsofthehuntressandthequarryseemtoslumber，Iplacetogether，inawidejar，aWaspandaSegestria。TheSpiderandherenemymutuallyavoideachother，bothbeingequallytimid。Ajudiciousshakeortwobringsthemintocontact。TheSegestria，fromtimetotime，catchesholdofthePompilus，whogathersherselfupasbestshecan，withoutattemptingtousehersting；theSpiderrollstheinsectbetweenherlegsandevenbetweenhermandibles，butappearstodislikedoingit。OnceIseeherlieonherbackandholdthePompilusaboveher，asfarawayaspossible，whileturningheroverinherfore-legsandmunchingatherwithhermandibles。TheWasp，whetherbyherownadroitnessorowingtotheSpider\'sdreadofher，promptlyescapesfromtheterriblefangs，movestoashortdistanceanddoesnotseemtotroubleundulyaboutthebuffetingwhichshehasreceived。
Shequietlypolishesherwingsandcurlsherantennaebypullingthemwhilestandingonthemwithherfore-tarsi。TheattackoftheSegestria，stimulatedbymyshakes，isrepeatedtentimesover；andthePompilusalwaysescapesfromthevenomousfangsunscathed，asthoughshewereinvulnerable。
Isshereallyinvulnerable？Bynomeans，asweshallsoonhaveprovedtous；ifsheretiressafeandsound，itisbecausetheSpiderdoesnotuseherfangs。Whatweseeisasortoftruce，atacitconventionforbiddingdeadlystrokes，orratherthedemoralizationduetocaptivity；andthetwoadversariesarenolongerinasufficientlywarlikemoodtomakeplaywiththeirdaggers。ThetranquillityofthePompilus，whokeepsonjauntilycurlingherantennaeinfaceoftheSegestria，reassuresmeastomyprisoner\'sfate；forgreatersecurity，however，Ithrowherascrapofpaper，inthefoldsofwhichshewillfindarefugeduringthenight。Sheinstalsherselfthere，outoftheSpider\'sreach。NextmorningIfindherdead。DuringthenighttheSegestria，whosehabitsarenocturnal，hasrecoveredherdaringandstabbedherenemy。Ihadmysuspicionsthatthepartsplayedmightbereversed！Thebutcherofyesterdayisthevictimofto-day。
IreplacethePompilusbyaHive-bee。Theinterviewisnotprotracted。Twohourslater，theBeeisdead，bittenbytheSpider。ADrone-flysuffersthesamefate。TheSegestria，however，doesnottoucheitherofthetwocorpses，anymorethanshetouchedthecorpseofthePompilus。Inthesemurdersthecaptiveseemstohavenootherobjectthantoridherselfofaturbulentneighbour。Whenappetiteawakes，perhapsthevictimswillbeturnedtoaccount。Theywerenot；andthefaultwasmine。IplacedinthejaraBumble-beeofaveragesize。AdaylatertheSpiderwasdead；therudesharerofhercaptivityhaddonethedeed。
LetussaynomoreoftheseunequalduelsintheglassprisonandcompletethestoryofthePompiluswhomweleftatthefootofthewallwiththeparalysedSegestria。Sheabandonsherpreyonthegroundandreturnstothewall。ShevisitstheSpider\'sfunnelsonebyone，walkingonthemasfreelyasonthestones；sheinspectsthesilkentubes，dippingherantennaeintothem，soundingandexploringthem；sheenterswithouttheleasthesitation。
WhencedoesshenowderivethetemeritythustoentertheSegestria\'shaunts？Butalittlewhileago，shewasdisplayingextremecaution；atthismoment，sheseemsheedlessofdanger。Thefactisthatthereisnodangerreally。TheWaspisinspectinguninhabitedhouses。Whenshedivesdownasilkentunnel，sheverywellknowsthatthereisnoonein，for，hadtheSegestriabeenthere，shewouldbythistimehaveappearedonthethreshold。Thefactthatthehouseholderdoesnotshowherselfatthefirstvibrationoftheneighbouringthreadsisacertainproofthatthetubeisvacant；andthePompilusentersinfullsecurity。Iwouldrecommendfutureobserversnottotakethepresentinvestigationsforhunting-tactics。I
havealreadyremarkedandIrepeat:thePompilusneverentersthesilkenambushwhiletheSpideristhere。
Amongthefunnelsinspectedoneappearstosuitherbetterthantheothers；
shereturnstoitfrequentlyinthecourseofherinvestigations，whichlastfornearlyanhour。FromtimetotimeshehastensbacktotheSpiderlyingontheground；sheexaminesher，tugsather，dragsheralittleclosertothewall，thenleavesherthebettertoreconnoitrethetunnelwhichistheobjectofherpreference。LastlyshereturnstotheSegestriaandtakesherbythetipoftheabdomen。Thequarryissoheavythatshehasgreatdifficultyinmovingitalongthelevelground。Twoinchesdivideitfromthewall。Shegetstothewall，notwithouteffort；nevertheless，oncethewallisreached，thejobisquicklydone。WelearnthatAntaeus，thesonofMotherEarth，inhisstrugglewithHercules，receivednewstrengthasoftenashisfeettouchedtheground；thePompilus，thedaughterofthewall，seemstoincreaseherpowerstenfoldonceshehassetfootonthemasonry。
ForhereistheWasphoistingherpreybackwards，herenormousprey，whichdanglesbeneathher。Sheclimbsnowaverticalplane，nowaslope，accordingtotheunevensurfaceofthestones。Shecrossesgapswhereshehastogobellyuppermost，whilethequarryswingstoandfrointheair。
Nothingstopsher；shekeepsonclimbing，toaheightofsixfeetormore，withoutselectingherpath，withoutseeinghergoal，sinceshegoesbackwards。Alodgeappearsnodoubtreconnoitredbeforehandandreached，despitethedifficultiesofanascentwhichdidnotallowhertoseeit。
ThePompiluslaysherpreyonit。Thesilkentubewhichsheinspectedsolovinglyisonlysomeeightinchesdistant。Shegoestoit，examinesitrapidlyandreturnstotheSpider，whomsheatlengthlowersdownthetube。
ShortlyafterwardsIseehercomeoutagain。Shesearcheshereandthereonthewallforafewscrapsofmortar，twoorthreefairlylargepieces，whichshecarriestothetube，tocloseitup。Thetaskisdone。Shefliesaway。
NextdayIinspectthisstrangeburrow。TheSpiderisatthebottomofthesilkentube，isolatedoneveryside，asthoughinahammock。TheWasp\'seggisgluednottotheventralsurfaceofthevictimbuttotheback，aboutthemiddle，nearthebeginningoftheabdomen。Itiswhite，cylindricalandaboutatwelfthofaninchlong。ThefewbitsofmortarwhichIsawcarriedhavebutveryroughlyblockedthesilkenchamberattheend。ThusPompilusapicalislaysherquarryandhereggsnotinaburrowofherownmaking，butintheSpider\'sactualhouse。Perhapsthesilkentubebelongstothisveryvictim，whichinthateventprovidesbothboardandlodging。WhatashelterforthelarvaofthisPompilus:thewarmretreatanddownyhammockoftheSegestria！
Herethen，already，wehavetwoSpider-huntresses，theRingedPompilusandP。apicalis，who，unversedintheminer\'scraft，establishtheiroffspringinexpensivelyinaccidentalchinksinthewalls，oreveninthelairoftheSpideronwhomthelarvafeeds。Inthesecells，acquiredwithoutexertion，theybuildonlyanattemptatawallwithafewfragmentsofmortar。Butwemustbewareofgeneralizingaboutthisexpeditiousmethodofestablishment。
OtherPompiliaretruediggers，valiantlysinkingaburrowinthesoil，toadepthofacoupleofinches。TheseincludetheEight-spottedPompilus(P。
octopunctatus，PANZ。)，withherblack-and-yellowliveryandheramberwings，alittledarkeratthetips。ForhergameshechoosestheEpeirae(E。fasciata，E。sericea)(FortheGarden-spidersknownastheBandedEpeiraandtheSilkyEpeiracf。“TheLifeoftheSpider“:chapters11，13，14etpassim——Translator\'sNote。)，thosefatSpiders，magnificentlyadorned，wholieinwaitatthecentreoftheirlarge，verticalwebs。Iamnotsufficientlyacquaintedwithherhabitstodescribethem；aboveall，I
knownothingofherhunting-tactics。Butherdwellingisfamiliartome:itisaburrow，whichIhaveseenherbegin，completeandcloseaccordingtothecustomarymethodoftheDigger-wasps。
CHAPTER2。THESCOLIAE。
Werestrengthtotakeprecedenceovertheotherzoologicalattributes，theScoliaewouldholdapredominantplaceinthefrontrankoftheWasps。Someofthemmaybecomparedinsizewiththelittlebirdfromthenorth，theGolden-crestedWren，whocomestousatthetimeofthefirstautumnmistsandvisitstherottenbuds。Thelargestandmostimposingofoursting-
bearers，theCarpenter-bee，theBumble-bee，theHornet，cutapoorfigurebesidecertainoftheScoliae。OfthisgroupofgiantsmydistrictpossessestheGardenScolia(S。hortorum，VANDERLIND)，whoisoveraninchandahalfinlengthandmeasuresfourinchesfromtiptotipofheroutspreadwings，andtheHemorrhoidalScolia(S。haemorrhoidalis，VANDER
LIND)，whorivalstheGardenScoliainpointofsizeandisdistinguishedmoreparticularlybythebundleofredhairsbristlingatthetipoftheabdomen。
Ablacklivery，withbroadyellowpatches；leatherywings，amber-coloured，liketheskinofanonion，andwateredwithpurplereflections；thick，knottedlegs，coveredwithsharphairs；amassiveframe；apowerfulhead，encasedinahardcranium；astiff，clumsygait；alow，short，silentflight:thisgivesyouaconcisedescriptionofthefemale，whoisstronglyequippedforherarduoustask。Themale，beingamerephilanderer，sportsamoreelegantpairofhorns，ismoredaintilycladandhasamoregracefulfigure，withoutaltogetherlosingthequalityofrobustnesswhichishisconsort\'sleadingcharacteristic。
Itisnotwithoutacertainalarmthattheinsect-collectorfindshimselfforthefirsttimeconfrontedbytheGardenScolia。Howishetocapturetheimposingcreature，howtoavoiditssting？IfitseffectisinproportiontotheWasp\'ssize，thestingoftheScoliamustbesomethingterrible。TheHornet，thoughsheunsheathherweaponbutonce，causesthemostexquisitepain。Whatwoulditbelikeifonewerestabbedbythiscolossus？Theprospectofaswellingasbigasaman\'sfistandaspainfulasthetouchofared-hotironpassesthroughourmindatthemomentwhenwearebringingdownthenet。Andwerefrain，webeataretreat，wearegreatlyrelievednottohavearousedthedangerouscreature\'sattention。
Yes，IconfesstohavingrunawayfrommyfirstScoliae，anxiousthoughI
wastoenrichmybuddingcollectionwiththismagnificentinsect。TherewerepainfulrecollectionsoftheCommonWaspandtheHornetconnectedwiththisexcessofprudence。Isayexcess，forto-day，instructedbylongexperience，Ihavequiterecoveredfrommyformerfears；and，whenIseeaScoliarestingonathistle-head，Idonotscrupletotakeherinmyfingers，withoutanyprecautionwhatever，howeverlargeshemaybeandhowevermenacingheraspect。Mycourageisnotallthatitseemstobe；I
amquitereadytotelltheWasp-huntingnovicethis。TheScoliaearenotablypeaceable。Theirstingisanimplementoflabourfarmorethanaweaponofwar；theyuseittoparalysethepreydestinedfortheiroffspring；andonlyinthelastextremitydotheyemployitinself-
defence。Moreover，thelackofagilityintheirmovementsnearlyalwaysenablesustoavoidtheirsting；and，evenifwebestung，thepainisalmostinsignificant。ThisabsenceofanyacutesmartingasaresultofthepoisonisalmostconstantintheHuntingWasps，whoseweaponisasurgicallancetanddevisedforthemostdelicatephysiologicaloperations。
AmongtheotherScoliaeofmydistrictIwillmentiontheTwo-bandedScolia(S。bifasciata，VANDERLIND)，whomIseeeveryyear，inSeptember，workingattheheapsofleaf-mouldwhichareplacedforherbenefitinacornerofmypaddock；andtheInterruptedScolia(S。interrupta，LATR。)，theinhabitantofthesandysoilatthefootoftheneighbouringhills。Muchsmallerthanthetwoprecedinginsects，butalsomuchcommoner，anecessaryconditionofcontinuousobservation，theywillprovidemewiththeprincipaldataforthisstudyoftheScoliae。
Iopenmyoldnotebook；andIseemyselfoncemore，onthe6thofAugust，1857，intheBoisdesIssards，thatfamouscopsenearAvignonwhichIhavecelebratedinmyessayontheBembex-wasps。(Cf。“TheHuntingWasps“:
chapter14——Translator\'sNote。)Onceagain，myheadcrammedwithentomologicalprojects，Iamatthebeginningofmyholidayswhich，fortwomonths，willallowmetoindulgeintheinsect\'scompany。
AfigforMariotte\'sflaskandToricelli\'stube！(EdmeMariotte(1620-
1684)，aFrenchchemistwhodiscovered，independentlyofRobertBoyletheIrishman(1627-1691)，thelawgenerallyknownasBoyle\'slaw，whichstatesthattheproductofthevolumeandthetemperatureofagasisconstantatconstanttemperature。Hisflaskisanapparatuscontrivedtoillustrateatmosphericpressureandensureaconstantflowofliquid——Translator\'sNote。)(EvangelistaToricelli(1608-1647)，adiscipleofGalileoandprofessorofphilosophyandmathematicsatFlorence。His“tube“isourmercurybarometer。Hewasthefirsttoobtainavacuumbymeansofmercury；
andhealsoimprovedthemicroscopeandthetelescope——Translator\'sNote。)
Thisisthethrice-blestperiodwhenIceasetobeaschoolmasterandbecomeaschoolboy，theschoolboyinlovewithanimals。Likeamadder-
cutteroffforhisday\'swork，Isetoutcarryingovermyshoulderasoliddigging-implement，thelocalluchet，andonmybackmygame-bagwithboxes，bottles，trowel，glasstubes，tweezers，lensesandotherimpedimenta。A
largeumbrellasavesmefromsunstroke。Itisthemostscorchinghourofthehottestdayintheyear。Exhaustedbytheheat，theCicadaearesilent。Thebronze-eyedGad-fliesseekarefugefromthepitilesssunundertheroofofmysilkenshelter；otherlargeFlies，thesobre-huedPangoniae，dashthemselvesrecklesslyagainstmyface。
ThespotatwhichIhaveinstalledmyselfisasandyclearingwhichIhadrecognizedtheyearbeforeasasitebelovedoftheScoliae。Hereandtherearescatteredthicketsofholm-oak，whosedenseundergrowthsheltersabedofdeadleavesandathinlayerofmould。Mymemoryhasservedmewell。
Here，sureenough，astheheatgrowsalittleless，appear，comingIknownotfromwhence，someTwo-bandedScoliae。Thenumberincreases；anditisnotlongbeforeIseeverynearlyadozenofthemaboutme，closeenoughforobservation。Bytheirsmallersizeandmorebuoyantflight，theyareeasilyknownformales。Almostgrazingtheground，theyflysoftly，goingtoandfro，passingandrepassingineverydirection。Fromtimetotimeoneofthemalightsontheground，feelsthesandwithhisantennaeandseemstobeenquiringintowhatishappeninginthedepthsofthesoil；thenheresumeshisflight，alternatelycomingandgoing。
Whataretheywaitingfor？Whataretheyseekingintheseevolutionsoftheirs，whicharerepeatedahundredtimesover？Food？No，forclosebesidethemstandseveraleryngo-stems，whosesturdyclustersaretheWasps\'usualresourceatthisseasonofparchedvegetation；andnotoneofthemsettlesupontheflowers，notoneofthemseemstocareabouttheirsugaryexudations。Theirattentionisengrossedelsewhere。Itistheground，itisthestretchofsandwhichtheyaresoassiduouslyexploring；whattheyarewaitingforisthearrivalofsomefemale，whoburstingthecocoon，mayappearfromonemomenttothenext，issuingalldustyfromtheground。Shewillnotbegiventimetobrushherselfortowashhereyes:threeorfourmoreofthemwillbethereatonce，eagertodisputeherpossession。IamtoofamiliarwiththeamorouscontestsoftheHymenopteronclantoallowmyselftobemistaken。Itistheruleforthemales，whoaretheearlierofthetwo，tokeepacloseguardaroundthenatalspotandwatchfortheemergenceofthefemales，whomtheypesterwiththeirpursuitthemomenttheyreachthelightofday。ThisisthemotiveoftheinterminableballetofmyScoliae。Letushavepatience:perhapsweshallwitnessthenuptials。
Thehoursgoby；thePangoniaeandtheGad-fliesdesertmyumbrella；theScoliaegrowwearyandgraduallydisappear。Itisfinished。Ishallseenothingmoreto-day。IrepeatmylaboriousexpeditiontotheBoisdesIssardsoverandoveragain；andeachtimeIseethemalesasassiduousaseverinskimmingovertheground。Myperseverancedeservedtosucceed。Itdid，thoughthesuccesswasveryincomplete。Letmedescribeit，suchasitwas；thefuturewillfillupthegaps。
Afemaleissuesfromthesoilbeforemyeyes。Shefliesaway，followedbyseveralmales。WiththeluchetIdigatthepointofemergence；and，astheexcavationprogresses，Isiftbetweenmyfingerstherubbishofsandmixedwithmould。Inthesweatofmybrow，asImayjustlysay，Imusthaveremovednearlyacubicyardofmaterial，whenatlastImakeafind。Thisisarecentlyrupturedcocoon，tothesideofwhichadheresanemptyskin，thelastremnantofthegameonwhichthelarvafedthatwroughtthesaidcocoon。Consideringthegoodconditionofitssilkenfabric，thiscocoonmayhavebelongedtotheScoliawhohasjustquittedherundergrounddwellingbeforemyeyes。Asfortheskinaccompanyingit，thishasbeensomuchspoiltbythemoistureofthesoilandbythegrassyrootsthatI
cannotdetermineitsoriginexactly。Thecranium，however，whichisbetter-
preserved，themandiblesandcertaindetailsofthegeneralconfigurationleadmetosuspectthelarvaofaLamellicorn。
Itisgettinglate。Thisisenoughforto-day。Iamwornout，butamplyrepaidformyexertionsbyabrokencocoonandthepuzzlingskinofawretchedgrub。Youngpeoplewhomakeahobbyofnaturalhistory，wouldyouliketodiscoverwhetherthesacredfireflowsinyourveins？Imagineyourselvesreturningfromsuchanexpedition。Youarecarryingonyourshoulderthepeasant\'sheavyspade；yourloinsarestiffwiththelaboriousdiggingwhichyouhavejustfinishedinacrouchingposition；theheatofanAugustafternoonhassetyourbrainsimmering；youreyelidsaretiredbytheitchofaninflammationresultingfromtheoverpoweringlightinwhichyouhavebeenworking；youhaveadevouringthirst；andbeforeyouliesthedustyprospectofthemilesthatdivideyoufromyourwell-earnedrest。Yetsomethingstingswithinyou；forgetfulofyourpresentwoesyouareabsolutelygladofyourexcursion。Why？Becauseyouhaveinyourpossessionashredofrottenskin。Ifthisisso，myyoungfriends，youmaygoahead，foryouwilldosomething，thoughIwarnyouthatthisdoesnotmean，byalongway，thatyouwillgetonintheworld。
Iexaminedthisshredofskinwithallthecarethatitdeserved。Myfirstsuspicionswereconfirmed:aLamellicorn，aScarabaeidinthelarvalstate，isthefirstfoodoftheWaspwhosecocoonIhavejustunearthed。ButwhichoftheScarabaeidae？Anddoesthiscocoon，mypreciousbooty，reallybelongtotheScoliae？Theproblemisbeginningtotakeshape。ToattemptitssolutionwemustgobacktotheBoisdesIssards。
IdidgobackandsooftenthatmypatienceendedbybeingexhaustedbeforetheproblemoftheScoliaehadreceivedasatisfactorysolution。Thedifficultiesaregreatindeed，undertheconditions。WhereamItodigintheindefinitestretchofsandysoiltolightuponaspotfrequentedbytheScoliae？Theluchetisdrivenintothegroundatrandom；andalmostinvariablyIfindnoneofwhatIamseeking。Tobesure，themales，flyinglevelwiththeground，givemeahint，attheoutset，withtheircertaintyofinstinct，astothespotswherethefemalesoughttobe；buttheirhintsareveryvague，becausetheygosofarineverydirection。IfIwishedtoexaminethesoilwhichasinglemaleexploresinhisflight，withitsconstantlychangingcourse，Ishouldhavetoturnover，tothedepthofperhapsayard，atleastfourpolesofearth。Thisistoomuchformystrengthandthetimeatmydisposal。Then，astheseasonadvances，themalesdisappear，whereuponIamsuddenlydeprivedoftheirhints。ToknowmoreorlesswhereIshouldthrustmyluchet，Ihaveonlyoneresourceleft，whichistowatchforthefemalesemergingfromthegroundorelseenteringit。WithagreatexpenditureoftimeandpatienceIhaveatlasthadthiswindfall，veryrarely，Iadmit。
TheScoliaedonotdigaburrowwhichcanbecomparedwiththatoftheotherHuntingWasps；theyhavenofixedresidence，withanunimpededgalleryopeningontheouterworldandgivingaccesstothecells，theabodesofthelarvae。Theyhavenoentrance-andexit-doors，nocorridorbuiltinadvance。Iftheyhavetomaketheirwayunderground，anypointnothithertoturnedoverservestheirpurpose，providedthatitbenottoohardfortheirdigging-tools，which，forthatmatter，areverypowerful；iftheyhavetocomeout，thepointofexitisnolessindifferent。TheScoliadoesnotborethesoilthroughwhichshepasses:sheexcavatesandploughsitwithherlegsandforehead；andthestuffshiftedremainswhereitlies，behindher，forthwithblockingthepassagewhichshehasfollowed。Whensheisabouttoemergeintotheouterworld，heradventisheraldedbythefreshsoilwhichheapsitselfintoamoundasthoughheavedupbythesnoutofsometinyMole。Theinsectsalliesforth；andthemoundcollapses，completelyfillinguptheexit-hole。IftheWaspisenteringtheground，thedigging-operations，undertakenatanarbitrarypoint，quicklyyieldacavityinwhichtheScoliadisappears，separatedfromthesurfacebythewholetrackofshiftedmaterial。
Icaneasilytraceherpassagethroughthethicknessofthesoilbycertainlong，windingcylinders，formedofloosematerialsinthemidstofcompactandstableearth。Thesecylindersarenumerous；theysometimesruntoadepthoftwentyinches；theyextendinalldirections，fairlyoftencrossingoneanother。Notoneofthemeverexhibitssomuchasasuspicionofanopengallery。Theyareobviouslynotpermanentwaysofcommunicationwiththeouterworld，buthunting-trailswhichtheinsecthasfollowedonce，withoutgoingbacktothem。WhatwastheWaspseekingwhensheriddledthesoilwiththesetunnelswhicharenowfullofrunningsands？Nodoubtthefoodforherfamily，thelarvaofwhichIpossesstheemptyskin，nowanunrecognizableshred。
Ibegintoseealittlelight:theScoliaeareundergroundworkers。I
alreadyexpectedasmuch，havingbeforenowcapturedScoliaesoiledwithlittleearthyencrustationsonthejointsofthelegs。TheWasp，whoissocarefultokeepclean，takingadvantageoftheleastleisuretobrushandpolishherself，couldneverdisplaysuchblemishesunlessshewereadevotedearth-worker。Iusedtosuspecttheirtrade，nowIknowit。Theyliveunderground，wheretheyburrowinsearchofLamellicorn-grubs，justastheMoleburrowsinsearchoftheWhiteWorm。(ThelarvaoftheCockchafer。
Thisgrubtakesthreeyearsormoretoarriveatmaturityunderground——
Translator\'sNote。)Itisevenpossiblethat，afterreceivingtheembracesofthemales，theybutveryrarelyreturntothesurface，absorbedastheyarebytheirmaternalduties；andthis，nodoubt，iswhymypatiencebecomesexhaustedinwatchingfortheirentranceandtheiremergence。
Itisinthesubsoilthattheyestablishthemselvesandtraveltoandfro；
withthehelpoftheirpowerfulmandibles，theirhardcranium，theirstrong，pricklylegs，theyeasilymakethemselvespathsinthelooseearth。
Theyarelivingploughshares。BytheendofAugust，therefore，thefemalepopulationisforthemostpartunderground，busilyoccupiedinegg-layingandprovisioning。EverythingseemstotellmethatIshouldwatchinvainfortheappearanceofafewfemalesinthebroaddaylight；Imustresignmyselftoexcavatingatrandom。
TheresultwashardlycommensuratewiththelabourwhichIexpendedondigging。Ifoundafewcocoons，nearlyallbroken，liketheonewhichI
alreadypossessed，and，likeit，bearingontheirsidethetatteredskinofalarvaofthesameScarabaeid。TwoofthesecocoonswhicharestillintactcontainedadeadadultWasp。ThiswasactuallytheTwo-bandedScolia，apreciousdiscoverywhichchangedmysuspicionsintoacertainty。
Ialsounearthedsomecocoons，slightlydifferentinappearance，containinganadultinmate，likewisedead，inwhomIrecognizedtheInterruptedScolia。Theremnantsoftheprovisionsagainconsistedoftheemptyskinofalarva，alsoaLamellicorn，butnotthesameastheonehuntedbythefirstScolia。Andthiswasall。Nowhere，nowthere，Ishiftedafewcubicyardsofsoil，withoutmanagingtofindfreshprovisionswiththeeggortheyounglarva。Andyetitwastherightseason，theegg-layingseason，forthemales，numerousattheoutset，hadgrownrarerdaybydayuntiltheydisappearedentirely。Mylackofsuccesswasduetotheuncertaintyofmyexcavations，inwhichIhadnothingtoguidemeovertheindefiniteareacovered。
IfIcouldatleastidentifytheScarabaeidaewhoselarvaeformthepreyofthetwoScoliae，theproblemwouldbehalfsolved。Letustry。Icollectallthattheluchethasturnedup:larvae，nymphsandadultBeetles。MybootycomprisestwospeciesofLamellicorns:AnoxiavillosaandEuchloraJulii，bothofwhomIfindintheperfectstate，usuallydead，butsometimesalive。Iobtainafewoftheirnymphs，agreatpieceofluck，forthelarvalskinwhichaccompaniesthemwillservemeasastandardofcomparison。Icomeuponplentyoflarvae，ofallages。WhenIcomparethemwiththecastgarmentabandonedbythenymphs，IrecognizesomeasbelongingtotheAnoxiaandtheresttotheEuchlora。
Withthesedata，IperceivewithabsolutecertaintythattheemptyskinadheringtothecocoonoftheInterruptedScoliabelongstotheAnoxia。AsfortheEuchlora，sheisnotinvolvedintheproblem:thelarvahuntedbytheTwo-bandedScoliadoesnotbelongtoheranymorethanitbelongstotheAnoxia。ThenwithwhichScarabaeiddoestheemptyskinwhichisstillunknowntomecorrespond？TheLamellicornwhomIamseekingmustexistinthegroundwhichIhavebeenexploring，becausetheTwo-bandedScoliahasestablishedherselfthere。Later——oh，verylongafterwards！——Irecognizedwheremysearchwasatfault。Inordernottofindanetworkofrootsbeneathmyluchetandtorendertheworkofexcavationlighter，Iwasdiggingthebareplaces，atsomedistancefromthethicketsofholm-oak；
anditwasjustinthosethickets，whicharerichinvegetablemould，thatIshouldhavesought。There，neartheoldstumps，inthesoilconsistingofdeadleavesandrottingwood，Ishouldcertainlyhavecomeuponthelarvasogreatlydesired，aswillbeprovedbywhatIhavestilltosay。
Hereendswhatmyearlierinvestigationstaughtme。ThereisreasontobelievethattheBoisdesIssardswouldneverhavefurnishedmewiththeprecisedata，intheforminwhichIwantedthem。Theremotenessofthespot，thefatigueoftheexpeditions，whichtheheatrenderedintenselyexhausting，theimpossibilityofknowingwhichpointstoattackwouldundoubtedlyhavediscouragedmebeforetheproblemhadadvancedastepfarther。Studiessuchasthesecallforhomeleisureandapplication，forresidenceinacountryvillage。Youarethenfamiliarwitheveryspotinyourowngroundsandthesurroundingcountryandyoucangotoworkwithcertainty。
Twenty-threeyearshavepassed；andhereIamatSerignan，whereIhavebecomeapeasant，workingbyturnsonmywriting-padandmycabbage-patch。
Onthe14thofAugust，1880，Favier(Anex-soldierwhoactedastheauthor\'sgardenerandfactotum——Translator\'sNote。)clearsawayaheapofmouldconsistingofvegetablerefuseandofleavesstackedinacorneragainstthewallofthepaddock。ThisclearanceisconsiderednecessarybecauseBull，whenthelovers\'moonarrives，usesthishillocktoclimbtothetopofthewallandthencetorepairtothecanineweddingthenewsofwhichisbroughttohimbytheeffluviaborneupontheair。Hispilgrimagefulfilled，hereturns，withadiscomfitedlookandaslitear，butalwaysready，oncehehashadhisfeed，torepeattheescapade。Toputanendtothislicentiousbehaviour，whichhascosthimsomanygapingwounds，wedecidedtoremovetheheapofsoilwhichserveshimasaladderofescape。
Faviercallsmewhileinthemidstofhislabourswiththespadeandbarrow:
“Here\'safind，sir，agreatfind！Comeandlook。“
Ihastentothespot。Thefindisamagnificentoneindeedandofanaturetofillmewithdelight，awakeningallmyoldrecollectionsoftheBoisdesIssards。AnynumberoffemalesoftheTwo-bandedScolia，disturbedattheirwork，areemerginghereandtherefromthedepthofthesoil。Thecocoonsalsoareplentiful，eachlyingnexttotheskinofthevictimonwhichthelarvahasfed。Theyareallopenbutstillfresh:theydatefromthepresentgeneration；theScoliaewhomIunearthhavequittedthemnotlongsince。Ilearntlater，infact，thatthehatchingtookplaceinthecourseofJuly。
InthesameheapofmouldisaswarmingcolonyofScarabaeidaeintheformoflarvae，nymphsandadultinsects。ItincludesthelargestofourBeetles，thecommonRhinocerosBeetle，orOryctesnasicornis。Ifindsomewhohavebeenrecentlyliberated，whosewing-cases，ofaglossybrown，nowseethesunlightforthefirsttime；Ifindothersenclosedintheirearthenshell，almostasbigasaTurkey\'segg。Morefrequentisherpowerfullarva，withitsheavypaunch，bentintoahook。Inotethepresenceofasecondbearerofthenasalhorn，OryctesSilenus，whoismuchsmallerthanherkinswoman，andofPentodonpunctatus，aScarabaeidwhoravagesmylettuces。
ButthepredominantpopulationconsistsofCetoniae，orRosechafers，mostofthemenclosedintheiregg-shapedshells，withearthenwallsencrustedwithdung。Therearethreedifferentspecies:C。aurata，C。morioandC。
floricola。Mostofthembelongtothefirstspecies。Theirlarvae，whichareeasilyrecognizedbytheirsingulartalentforwalkingontheirbackswiththeirlegsintheair，arenumberedbythehundred。Everyageisrepresented，fromthenewborngrubtothepodgylarvaonthepointofbuildingitsshell。
Thistimetheproblemofthevictualsissolved。WhenIcomparethelarvalsloughstickingtotheScolia\'scocoonswiththeCetonia-larvaeor，better，withtheskincastbytheselarvae，undercoverofthecocoon，atthemomentofthenymphaltransformation，Iestablishanabsoluteidentity。TheTwo-bandedScoliarationseachofhereggswithaCetonia-grub。BeholdtheriddlewhichmyirksomesearchesintheBoisdesIssardshadnotenabledmetosolve。To-day，atmythreshold，thedifficultproblembecomeschild\'splay。Icaninvestigatethequestioneasilytothefullestpossibleextent；
Ineednotputmyselfoutatall；atanyhouroftheday，atanyperiodthatseemsfavourable，Ihavetherequisiteelementsbeforemyeyes。Ah，dearvillage，sopoor，socountrified，howhappilyinspiredwasIwhenI
cametoaskofyouahermit\'sretreat，whereIcouldliveinthecompanyofmybelovedinsectsand，insodoing，setdownnottoounworthilyafewchaptersoftheirwonderfulhistory！
AccordingtotheItalianobserverPasserini，theGardenScoliafeedsherfamilyonthelarvaeofOryctesnasicornis，intheheapsofoldtan-wasteremovedfromthehot-houses。IdonotdespairofseeingthiscolossalWaspcomingtoestablishherselfonedayinmyheapsofleaf-mould，inwhichthesameScarabaeidisswarming。Herrarityinmypartofthecountryisprobablytheonlycausethathashithertopreventedtherealizationofmywishes。
IhavejustshownthattheTwo-bandedScoliafeedsininfancyonCetonia-
larvaeandparticularlyonthoseofC。aurata，C。morioandC。floricola。
Thesethreespeciesdwelltogetherintherubbish-heapjustexplored；theirlarvaediffersolittlethatIshouldhavetoexaminethemminutelytodistinguishtheonefromtheother；andeventhenIshouldnotbecertainofsucceeding。ItseemsprobablethattheScoliadoesnotchoosebetweenthem，thatsheusesallthreeindiscriminately。Perhapssheevenassailsotherlarvae，inhabitants，liketheforegoing，ofheapsofrottingvegetable-matter。IthereforesetdowntheCetoniagenusgenerallyasformingthepreyoftheTwo-bandedScolia。
Lastly，roundaboutAvignon，theInterruptedScoliausedtopreyuponthelarvaoftheShaggyAnoxia(A。villosa)。AtSerignan，whichissurroundedbythesamekindofsandysoil，withoutothervegetationthanafewsparseseed-bearinggrasses，IfindherrationingheryoungwiththeMorningAnoxia(A。matutinalis)。Oryctes，CetoniaeandAnoxiaeinthelarvalstate:
herethenisthepreyofthethreeScoliaewhosehabitsweknow。ThethreeBeetlesareLamellicorns，Scarabaeidae。Weshallhaveoccasionlatertoconsiderthereasonofthisverystrikingcoincidence。
Forthemoment，thebusinessinhandistomovetheheapofleaf-mouldtosomeotherplace，withthewheelbarrow。ThisisFavier\'swork，whileI
myselfcollectthedisturbedpopulationinglassjars，inordertoputthembackintothenewrubbish-heapwithalltheconsiderationwhichmyplansowetothem。Thelaying-timehasnotyetsetin，forIfindnoeggs，noyoungScolia-larvae。Septemberapparentlywillbethepropitiousmonth。Butthereareboundtobemanyinjuredinthecourseofthisupheaval；someoftheScoliaehaveflownawaywhowillperhapshaveacertaindifficultyinfindingthenewsite；Ihavedisarrangedeverythingintheoverturnedheap。
Toallowtranquilitytoberestoredandhabittoresumeitsrounds，togivethepopulationtimetoincreaseandreplacethefugitivesandtheinjured，itwouldbebest，Ithink，toleavetheheapalonethisyearandnottoresumemyinvestigationsuntilthenext。Afterthethoroughconfusionduetotheremoval，Ishouldjeopardizesuccessbybeingtooprecipitate。Letuswaitoneyearmore。Idecideaccordingly，curbmyimpatienceandresignmyself。Wewillsimplyconfineourselvestoenlargingtheheap，whentheleavesbegintofall，byaccumulatingtherefusethatstrewsthepaddock，sothatwemayhavearicherfieldofoperations。
InthefollowingAugust，myvisitstothemoundofleaf-mouldbecomeadailyhabit。Bytwoo\'clockintheafternoon，whenthesunhasclearedtheadjacentpine-treesandisshiningontheheap，numbersofmaleScoliaearrivefromtheneighbouringfields，wheretheyhavebeenslakingtheirthirstontheeryngo-heads。Incessantlycomingandgoingwithanindolentflight，theycircleroundtheheap。Ifsomefemalerisefromthesoil，thosewhohaveseenherdartforward。Anotveryturbulentaffraydecideswhichofthesuitorsshallbethepossessor；andthecoupleflyawayoverthewall。ThisisarepetitionofwhatIusedtoseeintheBoisdesIssards。BythetimethatAugustisover。Themaleshaveceasedtoshowthemselves。Themothersdonotappeareither:theyarebusyunderground，establishingtheirfamilies。
Onthe2ndofSeptember，IdecideuponasearchwithmysonEmile，whohandlestheforkandtheshovel，whileIexaminetheclodsdugup。Victory！
Amagnificentresult，finerthananythatmyfondestambitionwouldhavedaredtocontemplate！HereisavastarrayofCetonia-larvae，allflaccid，motionless，lyingontheirbacks，withaScolia\'seggstickingtothecentreoftheirabdomen；hereareyoungScolia-larvaedippingtheirheadsintotheentrailsoftheirvictims；hereareothersfartheradvanced，munchingtheirlastmouthfulsofapreywhichisdraineddryandreducedtoaskin；herearesomelayingthefoundationoftheircocoonswithareddishsilk，whichlooksasifithadbeendyedinBullock\'sblood；herearesomewhosecocoonsarefinished。Thereisplentyofeverything，fromtheeggtothelarvawhoseperiodofactivityisover。Imarkthe2ndofSeptemberasared-letterday；ithasgivenmethefinalkeytoariddlewhichhaskeptmeinsuspensefornearlyhalfacentury。
Iplacemyspoilsreligiouslyinshallow，wide-mouthedglassjarscontainingalayeroffinelysiftedmould。Inthissoftbed，whichisidenticalincharacterwiththenatalsurroundings，Imakesomefaintimpressionswithmyfingers，somanycavities，eachofwhichreceivesoneofmysubjects，oneonly。Apaneofglasscoversthemouthofthereceptacle。InthiswayIpreventatoorapidevaporationandkeepmynurselingsundermyeyeswithoutfearofdisturbingthem。Nowthatallthisisinorder，letusproceedtorecordevents。
TheCetonia-larvaewhichIfindwithaScolia\'seggupontheirventralsurfacearedistributedinthemouldatrandom，withoutspecialcavities，withoutanysignofsomesortofstructure。Theyaresmotheredinthemould，justasarethelarvaewhichhavenotbeeninjuredbytheWasp。AsmyexcavationsintheBoisdesIssardstoldme，theScoliadoesnotpreparealodgingforherfamily；sheknowsnothingoftheartofcell-building。
Heroffspringoccupiesafortuitousabode，onwhichthemotherexpendsnoarchitecturalpains。WhereastheotherHuntingWaspsprepareadwellingtowhichtheprovisionsarecarried，sometimesfromadistance，theScoliaconfinesherselftodiggingherbedofleaf-moulduntilshecomesuponaCetonia-larva。Whenshefindsaquarry，shestabsitonthespot，inordertoimmobilizeit；and，againonthespot，shelaysaneggontheventralsurfaceoftheparalysedcreature。Thatisall。Themothergoesinquestofanotherpreywithouttroublingfurtherabouttheeggwhichhasjustbeenlaid。Thereisnoeffortofcartingorbuilding。AttheveryspotwheretheCetonia-grubiscaughtandparalysed，theScolia-larvahatches，growsandweavesitscocoon。Theestablishmentofthefamilyisthusreducedtothesimplestpossibleexpression。
CHAPTER3。ADANGEROUSDIET。
TheScolia\'seggisinnowayexceptionalinshape。Itiswhite，cylindrical，straightandaboutfourmillimetreslongbyonemillimetrethick。(About。156x。039inch——Translator\'sNote。)Itisfixed，byitsfore-end，uponthemedianlineofthevictim\'sabdomen，welltotherearofthelegs，nearthebeginningofthebrownpatchformedbythemassoffoodundertheskin。
Iwatchthehatching。Thegrub，stillwearinguponitshinderpartsthedelicatepelliclewhichithasjustshed，isfixedtothespottowhichtheeggitselfadheredbyitscephalicextremity。Astrikingspectacle，thatofthefeeblecreature，onlythismomenthatched，boring，foritsfirstmouthful，intothepaunchofitsenormousprey，whichliesstretcheduponitsback。Thenascenttoothtakesadayoverthedifficulttask。Nextmorningtheskinhasyielded；andIfindthenew-bornlarvawithitsheadplungedintoasmall，round，bleedingwound。
Insizethegrubisthesameastheegg，whosedimensionsIhavejustgiven。NowtheCetonia-larva，tomeettheScolia\'srequirements，averagesthirtymillimetresinlengthbynineinthickness(1。17x。35inch——
Translator\'sNote。)，whencefollowsthatitsbulkissixorsevenhundredtimesasgreatasthatofthenewly-hatchedgruboftheScolia。Herecertainlyisaquarrywhich，wereitactiveandcapableofwrigglingandbiting，wouldexposethenurselingtoterribleattacks。Thedangerhasbeenavertedbythemother\'sstiletto；andthefragilegrubattacksthemonster\'spaunchwithaslittlehesitationasthoughitweresuckingthebreast。
DaybydaytheyoungScolia\'sheadpenetratesfartherintotheCetonia\'sbelly。Topassthroughthenarroworificemadeintheskin，thefore-partofthebodycontractsandlengthensout，asthoughdrawnthroughadie-
plate。Thelarvathusassumesaratherstrangeform。Itshinderhalf，whichisconstantlyoutsidethevictim\'sbelly，hastheshapeandfulnessusualinthelarvaeoftheDigger-wasps，whereasthefronthalf，which，onceithasdivedundertheskinoftheexploitedvictim，doesnotcomeoutagainuntilthetimearrivesforspinningthecocoon，tapersoffsuddenlyintoasnake-likeneck。Thisfrontpartismoulded，sotospeak，bythenarrowentrance-holemadeintheskinandhenceforthretainsitsslenderformation。Asamatteroffact，asimilarconfigurationrecurs，invaryingdegrees，inthelarvaeoftheDigger-waspswhoserationconsistsofabulkyquarrywhichtakesalongtimetoconsume。TheseincludetheLanguedocianSphex，withherEphippiger，andtheHairyAmmophila，withherGreyWorm。
Thereisnoneofthissuddenconstriction，dividingthecreatureintotwodisparatehalves，whenthevictualsconsistofnumerousandcomparativelysmallitems。Thelarvathenretainsitsusualshape，beingobligedtopass，atbriefintervals，fromonejointinitslardertothenext。
>Fromthefirstbiteofthemandibles，untilthewholeheadofgameisconsumed，theScolia-larvaisneverseentowithdrawitsheadanditslongneckfrominsidethecreaturewhichitisdevouring。Isuspectthereasonofthispersistenceinattackingasinglepoint；Ievenseemtoperceivetheneedforaspecialartinthemannerofeating。TheCetonia-larvaisasquaremealinitself，onelargedish，whichhastoretainasuitablefreshnessuntiltheend。TheyoungScolia，therefore，mustattackwithdiscretion，attheunvaryingpointchosenbythemotherontheventralsurface，fortheentrance-holeisattheexactpointwheretheeggwasfixed。Asthenurseling\'snecklengthensanddivesdeeper，thevictim\'sentrailsarenibbledgraduallyandmethodically:first，theleastessential；next，thosewhoseremovalleavesyetaremnantoflife；lastly，thosewhoselossinevitablyentailsdeath，followedverysoonbyputrefaction。
Atthefirstbitesweseethevictim\'sbloodoozingthroughthewound。Itisahighly-elaboratedfluid，easyofdigestion，andformsasortofmilk-
dietforthenew-borngrub。Thelittleogre\'steatisthebleedingpaunchoftheCetonia-larva。Thelatterwillnotdieofthewound，atleastnotforsometime。Thenextthingtobetackledisthefattysubstancewhichwrapstheinternalorgansinitsdelicatefolds。ThisagainisalosswhichtheCetoniacansufferwithoutdyingthenandthere。Nowcomestheturnofthemuscularlayerwhichlinestheskin；now，thatoftheessentialorgans；
now，thatofthenerve-centresandthetracheannetwork，whereuponthelastgleamoflightisextinguishedandtheCetoniareducedtoamerebag，emptybutintact，savefortheentrance-holemadeinthemiddleofthebelly。
>Fromnowonwards，theseremainsmayrotiftheywill:theScolia，byitsmethodicalfashionofconsumingitsvictuals，hassucceededinkeepingthemfreshtotheverylast；andnowyoumayseeit，replete，shiningwithhealth，withdrawitslongneckfromthebagofskinandpreparetoweavethecocooninwhichitsdevelopmentwillbecompleted。
ItispossiblethatImaynotbequiteaccurateastothepreciseorderinwhichtheorgansareconsumed，foritisnoteasytoperceivewhathappensinsidetheexploitedlarva\'sbody。Therulingfeatureinthisscientificmethodofeating，whichproceedsfromthepartslesstothepartsmorenecessarytopreservearemnantoflife，isnonethelessobvious。Ifdirectobservationdidnotalreadytosomedegreeconfirmit，amereexaminationofthehalf-eatenlarvawoulddosointhemostpositivefashion。
TheCetonia-larvaisatfirstaplumpgrub。DrainedbytheScolia\'stooth，itgraduallybecomeslimpandwrinkled。Inafewdays\'timeitresemblesashrivelledbitofbacon-fatandthenabagwhosetwosideshavefallenin。
Yetthisbitofbaconandthisbaghavethesamecharacteristiclookoffreshmeatashadthegrubbeforeitwasbitteninto。DespitethepersistentnibblingoftheScolia，lifecontinues，holdingatbaytheinroadsofputrefactionuntilthemandibleshavegiventheirlastbites。
Doesnotthisremnantoftenaciousvitalityinitselfshowthattheorgansofprimaryimportancearethelasttobeattacked？Doesitnotprovethatthereisaprogressivedismembermentpassingfromthelessessentialtotheindispensable？
WouldyouliketoseewhatbecomesofaCetonia-larvawhentheorganismiswoundedinitsvitalcentresattheverybeginning？Theexperimentisaneasyone；andImadeapointoftryingit。Asewing-needle，firstsoftenedandflattenedintoablade，thenretemperedandsharpened，givesmeamostdelicatescalpel。WiththisinstrumentImakeafineincision，throughwhichIremovethemassofnerveswhoseremarkablestructureweshallsoonhaveoccasiontostudy。Thethingisdone:thewound，whichdoesnotlookserious，hasleftthecreatureacorpse，arealcorpse。Ilaymyvictimonabedofmoistearth，inajarwithaglasslid；infact，IestablishitinthesameconditionsasthoseofthelarvaeonwhichtheScoliaefeed。Bythenextday，withoutchangingshape，ithasturnedarepulsivebrown；
presentlyitdissolvesintonoisomeputrescence。Onthesamebedofearth，underthesameglasscover，inthesamemoist，warmatmosphere，thelarvaethree-quarterseatenbytheScoliaeretain，onthecontrary，theappearanceofhealthyflesh。
