Iftheonehaslearntbyprolongedpracticeinattack，theothershouldalsohavelearntbyprolongedpracticeindefence，forattackanddefencepossessalikemeritinthefightforlife。Amongthetheoristsoftheday，isthereoneclear-sightedenoughtosolvetheriddleforus？
Ifso，Iwilltaketheopportunityofputtingtohimasecondproblemthatpuzzlesme:thecarelessness，nay，more，thestupidityoftheBeeinthepresenceofthePhilanthus。Youwouldbeinclinedtothinkthatthevictimofpersecution，learninggraduallyfromthemisfortunessufferedbyherfamily，wouldshowdistressattheravisher\'sapproachandatleastattempttoescape。InmycagesIseenothingofthesort。Oncethefirstexcitementduetoincarcerationunderthebell-glassorthewire-gauzecoverhaspassed，theBeeseemshardlytotroubleaboutherformidableneighbour。I
seeonesidebysidewiththePhilanthusonthesamehoneyedthistle-head:
assassinandfuturevictimaredrinkingfromthesameflask。Iseesomeonewhocomesheedlesslytoenquirewhothatstrangercanbe，crouchinginwaitonthetable。Whenthespoilermakesherrush，itisusuallyataBeewhomeetsherhalf-way，and，sotospeak，flingsherselfintoherclutches，eitherthoughtlesslyoroutofcuriosity。Thereisnowildterror，nosignofanxiety，notendencytomakeoff。Howcomesitthattheexperienceoftheages，thatexperiencewhich，wearetold，teachestheanimalsomanythings，hasnottaughttheBeethefirstelementofapiarianwisdom:adeep-seatedhorrorofthePhilanthus？Canthepoorwretchtakecomfortbyrelyingonhertrustydagger？Butsheyieldstononeinherignoranceoffencing；shestabswithoutmethod，atrandom。However，letuswatchheratthesuprememomentofthekilling。
Whentheravishermakesplaywithhersting，theBeedoesthesamewithhersandfuriously。Iseetheneedlenowmovingthiswayorthatwayinspace，nowslipping，violentlycurved，alongthemurderess\'convexsurface。
Thesesword-thrustshavenoseriousresults。Themannerinwhichthetwocombatantsareatgripshasthiseffect，thatthePhilanthus\'abdomenisinsideandtheBee\'soutside。Thelatter\'sstingthereforefindsunderitspointonlythedorsalsurfaceofthefoe，aconvex，slipperysurfaceandsowellarmouredastobealmostinvulnerable。Thereisherenobreachintowhichtheweaponcanslipbyaccident；andsotheoperationisconductedwithabsolutesurgicalsafety，notwithstandingtheindignantprotestsofthepatient。
Afterthefatalstrokehasbeenadministered，themurderessremainsforalongtimebellytobellywiththedead，forreasonswhichweshallshortlyperceive。TheremaynowbesomedangerforthePhilanthus。Theattitudeofattackanddefenceisabandoned；andtheventralsurface，morevulnerablethantheother，iswithinreachofthesting。Nowthedeceasedstillretainsthereflexuseofherweaponforafewminutes，asIlearnttomycost。HavingtakentheBeetooearlyfromthebanditandhandlingherwithoutsuspectinganyrisk，Ireceivedamostdownrightsting。ThenhowdoesthePhilanthus，inherlongcontactwiththebutcheredBee，managetoprotectherselfagainstthatlancet，whichisbentuponavengingthemurder？Isthereanychanceofacommutationofthedeath-penalty？CananaccidenteverhappenintheBee\'sfavour？Perhaps。
Oneincidentstrengthensmyfaithinthisperhaps。IhadplacedfourBeesandasmanyEristalesunderthebell-glassatthesametime，withtheobjectofestimatingthePhilanthus\'entomologicalknowledgeinthematterofthedistinctionofspecies。Reciprocalquarrelsbreakoutinthemixedcolony。Suddenly，inthemidstofthefray，thekilleriskilled。Shetumblesoveronherback，shewavesherlegs；sheisdead。Whostrucktheblow？ItwascertainlynottheexcitablebutpacificDrone-fly；itwasoneoftheBees，whostruckhomebyaccidentduringthethickofthefight。
Whereandhow？Icannottell。Theincidentoccursonlyonceinmynotes，butitthrowsalightuponthequestion。TheBeeiscapableofwithstandingheradversary；shecanthenandthereslayherwould-beslayerwithathrustofthesting。Thatshedoesnotdefendherselftobetterpurpose，whenshefallsintoherenemy\'sclutches，isduetoherignoranceoffencingandnottotheweaknessofherweapon。Andhereagainarises，moreinsistentlythanbefore，thequestionwhichIaskedabove:howisitthatthePhilanthushaslearntforoffensivewhattheBeehasnotlearntfordefensivepurposes？Iseebutoneanswertothedifficulty:theoneknowswithouthavinglearnt；theotherdoesnotknowbecausesheisincapableoflearning。
LetusnowconsiderthemotivesthatinducethePhilanthustokillherBeeinsteadofparalysingher。Whenthecrimehasbeenperpetrated，shemanipulatesherdeadvictimwithoutlettinggoofitforamoment，holdingitsbellypressedagainstherownsixlegs。Iseeherrecklessly，veryrecklessly，rootingwithhermandiblesinthearticulationoftheneck，sometimesalsointhelargerarticulationofthecorselet，behindthefirstpairoflegs，anarticulationofwhosedelicatemembranesheisperfectlywellaware，eventhough，whenusinghersting，shedidnottakeadvantageofthispoint，whichisthemostreadilyaccessibleofall。Iseeherrough-handlingtheBee\'sbelly，squeezingitagainstherownabdomen，crushingitinthepress。Therecklessnessofthetreatmentisstriking；itshowsthatthereisnoneedforkeepingupprecautions。TheBeeisacorpse；andalittlehustlinghereandtherewillnotdeteriorateitsquality，providedtherebenoeffusionofblood。Inpointoffact，howeverroughthehandling，Ifailtodiscovertheslightestwound。
Thesevariousmanipulations，especiallythesqueezingoftheneck，atoncebringaboutthedesiredresults:thehoneyinthecropmountstotheBee\'sthroat。Iseethetinydropsspurtout，lappedupbythegluttonassoonastheyappear。Thebanditgreedily，overandoveragain，takesthedeadinsect\'slolling，sugaredtongueintohermouth；thensheoncemoredigsintotheneckandthorax，subjectingthehoney-bagtotherenewedpressureofherabdomen。Thesyrupcomesandisinstantlylappedupandlappedupagain。Inthiswaythecontentsofthecropareexhaustedinsmallmouthfuls，yieldedoneatatime。Thisodiousmealattheexpenseofacorpse\'sstomachistakeninasybariticattitude；thePhilanthusliesonhersidewiththeBeebetweenherlegs。Theatrociousbanquetsometimeslastsforhalfanhourorlonger。AtlastthedrainedBeeisdiscarded，notwithoutregret，itseems，forfromtimetotimeIseethemanipulationrenewed。Aftertakingaturnroundthetopofthebell-jar，therobberofthedeadreturnstoherpreyandsqueezesit，lickingitsmouthuntilthelasttraceofhoneyhasdisappeared。
ThisfrenziedpassionofthePhilanthusfortheBee\'ssyrupisdeclaredinyetanotherfashion。Whenthefirstvictimhasbeensuckeddry，Islipundertheglassasecondvictim，whichispromptlystabbedunderthechinandthensubjectedtopressuretoextractthehoney。Athirdfollowsandundergoesthesamefatewithoutsatisfyingthebandit。Iofferafourthandafifth。Theyareallaccepted。MynotesmentiononePhilanthuswhoinfrontofmyeyessacrificedsixBeesinsuccessionandsqueezedouttheircropsintheregulationmanner。Theslaughtercametoanendnotbecausethegluttonwassatedbutbecausemyfunctionsasapurveyorwerebecomingratherdifficult:thedrymonthofAugustcausestheinsectstoavoidmyharmas，whichatthisseasonisdenudedofflowers。Sixcropsemptiedoftheirhoney:whatanorgy！Andeventhentheravenouscreaturewouldverylikelynothavescornedacopiousadditionalcourse，hadIpossessedthemeansofsupplyingit！
Thereisnoreasontoregretthisbreakintheservice；thelittlethatI
havesaidismorethanenoughtoprovethesingularcharacteristicsoftheBee-slayer。IamfarfromdenyingthatthePhilanthushasanhonestmeansofearningherlivelihood；IfindherworkingontheflowersasassiduouslyastheotherWasps，peacefullydrawingherhoneyedbeakers。Themaleseven，possessingnolancet，knownoothermannerofrefreshment。Themothers，withoutneglectingthetabled\'hoteoftheflowers，supportthemselvesbybrigandageaswell。WearetoldoftheSkua，thatpirateoftheseas，thatheswoopsdownuponthefishingbirds，atthemomentwhentheyrisefromthewaterwithacapture。Withablowofthebeakdeliveredinthepitofthestomachhemakesthemgiveuptheirprey，whichiscaughtbytherobberinmid-air。Thedespoiledbirdatleastgetsoffwithnothingworsethanacontusionatthebaseofthethroat。ThePhilanthus，alessscrupulouspirate，pouncesontheBee，stabshertodeathandmakesherdisgorgeinordertofeeduponherhoney。
IsayfeedandIdonotwithdrawtheword。TosupportmystatementIhavebetterreasonsthanthosesetforthabove。InthecagesinwhichvariousHuntingWasps，whosestratagemsofwarIamengagedinstudying，arewaitingtillIhaveprocuredthedesiredprey——notalwaysaneasything——I
haveplantedafewflower-spikes，athistle-headortwo，onwhichareplaceddropsofhoneyrenewedatneed。Heremycaptivescometotaketheirmeals。WiththePhilanthus，theprovisionofhoneyedflowers，thoughfavourablyreceived，isnotindispensable。IhaveonlytoletafewliveBeesintohercagefromtimetotime。Halfadozenadayisabouttheproperallowance。Withnootherfoodthanthesyrupextractedfromtheslain，Ikeepmyinsectsgoingforafortnightorthreeweeks。
Itisasplainasapikestaff:outsidemycages，whentheopportunityoffers，thePhilanthusmustalsokilltheBeeonherownaccount。TheOdynerusasksnothingfromtheChrysomelabutamerecondiment，thearomaticjuiceoftherump；theotherextractsfromhervictimanamplesupplementtohervictuals，thecropfullofhoney。WhatahecatombofBeesmustnotacolonyofthesefreebootersmakefortheirpersonalconsumption，nottomentionthestoredprovisions！IrecommendthePhilanthustothesignalvengeanceofourBee-masters。
Letusgonodeeperintothefirstcausesofthecrime。Letusacceptthingsasweknowthemforthemoment，withtheirapparentorrealatrocity。Tofeedherself，thePhilanthusleviestributeontheBee\'scrop。
Havingmadesureofthis，letusconsiderthebandit\'smethodmoreclosely。
ShedoesnotparalysehercaptureaccordingtotheritescustomaryamongtheHuntingWasps；shekillsit。Whykillit？Iftheeyesofourunderstandingbenotclosed，theneedforsuddendeathisclearasdaylight。ThePhilanthusproposestoobtainthehoneyedbrothwithoutrippinguptheBee，aproceedingwhichwoulddamagethegamewhenitishuntedonbehalfofthelarvae，withoutresortingtothemurderousextirpationofthecrop。Shemust，byablehandling，byskilfulpressure，maketheBeedisgorge，shemustmilkher，inamannerofspeaking。SupposetheBeestungbehindthecorseletandparalysed。Thatdeprivesherofherpoweroflocomotion，butnotofhervitality。Thedigestiveorgansinparticularretainorverynearlyretaintheirnormalenergy，asisprovedbythefrequentexcretionsthattakeplaceintheparalysedprey，solongastheintestineisnotempty，asisprovedaboveallbythevictimsoftheLanguedocianSphex(Cf。“TheHuntingWasp“:chapters8to10——Translator\'sNote。)，thosehelplesscreatureswhichIusedtokeepaliveforfortydaysonendwithasoupconsistingofsugarandwater。Itisabsurdtohope，withouttherapeuticmeans，withoutaspecialemetic，tocoaxasoundstomachintoemptyingitscontents。ThestomachoftheBee，whoisjealousofhertreasure，wouldlenditselftotheprocessevenlessreadilythananother。Whenparalysed，theinsectisinert；buttherearealwaysinternalenergiesandorganicforceswhichwillnotyieldtothemanipulator\'spressure。ThePhilanthuswillnibbleatthethroatandsqueezethesidesinvain:thehoneywillnotrisetothemouthsolongasavestigeoflifekeepsthecropclosed。
Thingsaredifferentwithacorpse。Thetensionisrelaxed，themusclesbecomeslack，theresistanceofthestomachceasesandthebagofhoneyisemptiedbytherobber\'svigorouspressure。Yousee，therefore，thatthePhilanthusisexpresslyobligedtoinflictasuddendeath，whichwilldoawayatoncewiththeelasticityoftheorgans。Whereisthelightningstroketobedelivered？Theslayerknowsbetterthanwedo，whenshestickstheBeeunderthechin。Thecerebralgangliaarereachedthroughthelittleholeintheneckanddeathensuesimmediately。
Therelationoftheseactsofbrigandagecannotsatisfymydistressinghabitoffollowingeachreplyobtainedwithafreshquestion，untilthegranitewalloftheunknowablerisesbeforeme。IfthePhilanthusisanexpertinkillingBeesandemptyingcropsswollenwithhoney，thiscannotbemerelyanalimentaryresource，especiallywhen，incommonwiththeothers，shehasthebanqueting-halloftheflowers。Icannotacceptheratrocioustalentasinspiredmerelybythecravingforafeastobtainedattheexpenseofanemptystomach。Somethingcertainlyescapesus:thewhyandwhereforeofthatcropdraineddry。AcreditablemotivemayliehiddenbehindthehorrorswhichIhaverelated。Whatisit？
Anyonecanunderstandthevaguenessoftheobserver\'smindwhenhefirstaskshimselfthisquestion。Thereaderisentitledtobetreatedwithconsideration。Iwillsparehimtherecitalofmysuspicions，mygropingsandmyfailuresandwillcomestraighttotheresultsofmylonginvestigation。Everythinghasitsharmoniousreasonforexistence。IamtoofullypersuadedofthistobelievethatthePhilanthuspursuesherhabitofprofaningcorpsessolelytosatisfyhergreed。Whatdoestheemptiedcropportend？Mayitnotbethat……？Why，yes……Afterall，whoknows？……Letustryalongtheselines。
Themother\'sfirstcareisthewelfareofthefamily。Sofar，wehaveseenthePhilanthushuntingonlyforherstomach\'ssake；letuswatchherhuntingasamother。Nothingiseasierthantodistinguishthetwoperformances。WhentheWaspwantsafewgoodmouthfulsandnothingmore，shescornfullyabandonstheBeeafterpickinghercrop。TheBeeistoheraworthlessremnant，whichwillshrivelwhereitliesandbedissectedbytheAnts。If，ontheotherhand，shewantstostowawaytheBeeasaprovisionforherlarvae，sheclaspsherinhertwointermediatelegsand，walkingontheotherfour，goesroundandroundtheedgeofthebell-glass，seekingforanoutletthroughwhichtoflyoffwithherprey。Whensherecognizesthecirculartrackasimpossible，sheclimbsupthesides，thistimeholdingtheBeebytheantennaewithhermandiblesandclingingtothepolishedandperpendicularsurfacewithhersixfeet。Shereachesthetopoftheglass，staysforalittlewhileinthehollowoftheknobatthetop，returnstotheground，resumeshercirclingandherclimbinganddoesnotdecidetorelinquishherBeeuntilshehasstubbornlyattemptedeverymeansofescape。ThispersistenceonherparttoretainherholdonthecumbrousburdentellsusprettyplainlythatthegamewouldgostraighttothecellsifthePhilanthushadherliberty。
Well，theseBeesintendedforthelarvaearestungunderthechinliketheothers；theyarerealcorpses；theyaremanipulated，squeezed，drainedoftheirhoneyexactlyastheothersare。Inalltheserespects，thereisnodifferencebetweenthehuntconductedtoprovidefoodforthelarvaeandthehuntconductedmerelytogratifythemother\'sappetite。
Astheworriesofcaptivitymightwellbethecauseofafewanomaliesintheinsect\'sactions，IfeltthatIoughttoenquirehowthingshappenintheopen。IlayinwaitnearsomecoloniesofPhilanthi，forlongerperhapsthanthequestiondeserved，asithadalreadybeensettledbywhathadhappenedunderglass。Mytediouswatcheswererewardedfromtimetotime。
Mostofthehuntressesreturnedhomeimmediately，withtheBeeundertheirabdomen；somehaltedonthebrambleshardby；andhereIsawthemsqueezingthedeadBeeandmakingherdisgorgethehoney，whichwasgreedilylappedup。Afterthesepreliminariesthecorpsewasstored。Everydoubtisthereforeremoved:theprovisionsofthelarvaarefirstcarefullydrainedoftheirhoney。
Sinceweareonthespot，letusprolongourstayandenquireintothecustomsofthePhilanthusinastateofliberty。Servingdeadprey，whichgoesbadinafewdays，theBee-huntresscannotadoptthemethodofcertaininsectswhichparalyseanumberofseparateheadsofgameandfillthecellwithprovisions，completingtherationbeforelayingtheegg。SheneedsthemethodoftheBembex，whoselarvareceivesthenecessarynourishmentatintervals，asitgrowslarger。Thefactsconfirmthisdeduction。JustnowI
describedastediousmywatchesnearthecoloniesofthePhilanthi。Theyweretediousinfact，evenmoresoperhapsthanthosewhichtheBembecesusedtoinflictuponmeintheolddays。OutsidetheburrowsoftheGreatCercerisandotherWeevil-lovers，outsidethoseoftheYellow-wingedSphex，theCricket-slayer，thereisplentyofdistraction，thankstothebustlingmovementofthehamlet。Themotherhashardlycomebackhomebeforeshegoesoutagain，soonreturningladenwithanewpreyandoncemoresettingoutuponthechase。Thegoingandcomingisrepeatedatcloseintervalsuntilthewarehouseisfull。
TheburrowofthePhilanthusisfarfromshowinganysuchanimation，eveninapopulouscolony。Invainweremywatchesprolongedforwholemorningsorafternoons；itwasbutveryrarelythatthemotherwhomIhadseengoinwithaBeecameoutagainforasecondexpedition。TwocapturesatmostbythesamehuntresswasallthatIwasabletoseeduringmylongvigils。
Feedingfromdaytodayinvolvesthisdeliberation。Oncethefamilyissuppliedwithasufficientrationforthemoment，themothersuspendsherhunting-tripsuntilfurtherneedarisesandoccupiesherselfwithmining-
workinherundergroundhouse。Cellsaredug；Iseetherubbishgraduallypusheduptothesurface。Beyondthisthereisnotasignofactivity；itisasthoughtheburrowweredeserted。
Theinspectionofthesiteisnoeasymatter。Theshaftdescendstoadepthofnearlythreefeetinacompactsoil，eitherverticallyorhorizontally。
Thespadeandpick，wieldedbystrongerbutlessexperthandsthanmine，areindispensable，forwhichreasontheprocessofexcavationisfarfromsatisfyingmefully。Attheendofthislongtunnel，whichthestrawwhichIuseforsoundingdespairsofeverreaching，thecellsareatlastencountered，ovalcavitieswithahorizontalmajoraxis。Theirnumberandgeneralarrangementescapeme。
Someofthemalreadycontainthecocoon，whichisslenderandsemitransparent，likethoseoftheCerceris，and，likethem，suggeststheshapeofcertainhomoeopathicphials，withovalbelliessurmountedbyataperingneck。Thecocoonisfastenedtotheendofthecellbythetipofthisneck，whichisdarkenedandhardenedbythelarva\'sexcrement；ithasnoothersupport。Itlookslikeashortclubfixedbytheendofthehandlealongthehorizontalaxisofthenest。Othercellscontainthelarvainamoreorlessadvancedstage。Thegrubismunchingthelastmorselservedtoit，withthescrapsofthevictualsalreadyconsumedlyingaroundit。
OtherslastlyshowmeaBee，oneonly，stilluntouchedandbearinganegglaidonherbreast。Thisisthefirstpartialration；theotherswillcomeasandwhenthegrubgrowslarger。Myanticipationsarethusconfirmed:
followingtheexampleoftheBembeces，theFly-killers，thePhilanthus，theBee-killer，layshereggonthefirstpiecewarehousedandatintervalsaddstohernurselings\'repast。
Theproblemofthedeadgameissolved。Thereremainsthisotherproblem，oneofincomparableinterest:whyaretheBeesrobbedoftheirhoneybeforebeingservedtothelarvae？IhavesaidandIsayagainthatthekillingandsqueezingcannotbeexplainedandexcusedsimplybyreferencetothePhilanthus\'loveofgormandizing。Robbingtheworkerofherbootyisnothingoutoftheway:weseeitdaily；butcuttingherthroatinordertoemptyherstomachisgoingbeyondajoke。And，astheBeespackedawayinthecellararesqueezeddryjustasmuchastheothers，thethoughtoccurstomymindthatarumpsteakwithjamisnottoeverybody\'slikingandthatthegamestuffedwithhoneymightwellbeadistastefulorevenunwholesomedishforthePhilanthus\'larvae。Whatwillthegrubdowhen，satedwithbloodandmeat，itfindstheBee\'shoney-bagunderitsmandiblesandespeciallywhen，nibblingatrandom，itripsopenthecropandspoilsitsvenisonwithsyrup？Willitthriveonthemixture？Willthelittleogrepasswithoutrepugnancefromthegamyflavourofacarcasetothescentofflowers？Abluntstatementordenialwouldservenopurpose。Wemustsee。
Letussee。
IrearsomeyoungPhilanthus-grubs，alreadywaxinglarge；but，insteadofsupplyingthemwiththepreytakenfromtheburrows，Igivethemgameofmyowncatching，gamerepletewithnectarfromtherosemaries。MyBees，whomI
killbycrushingtheirheads，arereadilyaccepted；andIatfirstseenothingthatcorrespondswithmysuspicions。Thenmynurselingslanguish，disdaintheirfood，giveacarelessbitehereandthereandendbyperishing，fromthefirsttothelast，besidetheirunfinishedvictuals。
Allmyattemptsmiscarry:Idonotoncesucceedinrearingmylarvaetothestageofspinningthecocoon。AndyetIamnonoviceinthefunctionsofafoster-father。Howmanypupilshavenotpassedthroughmyhandsandreachedmaturityinmyoldsardine-boxesascomfortablyasintheirnaturalburrows！
Iwillnotdrawrashconclusionsfromthischeck；Iamconscientiousenoughtoascribeittoanothercause。Itmaybethattheatmosphereofmystudyandthedrynessofthesandservingasabedhavehadabadeffectonmycharges，whosetenderskinsareaccustomedtothewarmmoistureofthesubsoil。Letusthereforetryanotherexpedient。
ItishardlyfeasibletodecidepositivelybythemethodswhichIhavebeenfollowingwhetherthehoneyisorisnotrepugnanttothegrubsofthePhilanthus。Thefirstmouthfulsconsistofmeat；andthennothingparticularoccurs:itisthenaturaldiet。Thehoneyismetwithlater，whenthemorselhasbeenlargelybitteninto。Ifhesitationandlackofappetitearedisplayedatthisstage，theycometoolateinthedaytobeconclusive:thelarva\'sdiscomfortmaybeduetoother，knownorunknown，causes。Thethingtodowouldbetoofferthegrubhoneyfromthefirst，beforeartificialrearinghasaffecteditsappetite。Itisuseless，ofcourse，tomaketheattemptwithpurehoney:nocarnivorouscreaturewouldtouchit，thoughitwerestarving。Thejam-sandwichistheonlydevicefavourabletomyplans，ameagrejam-sandwich，thatistosay，thedeadBeelightlysmearedorvarnishedwithhoneybymeansofacamel\'s-hairpencil。
Undertheseconditions，theproblemissolvedwiththefirstfewmouthfuls。
Thegrubthathasbittenintothehoneyedpreydrawsbackindisgust，hesitatesalongtimeandthen，urgedbyhunger，beginsagain，triesthissideandthatandendsbyrefusingtotouchthedish。Forafewdaysitpinesawayontopofitsalmostintactprovisions；thenitdies。Allthataresubjectedtothisregimensuccumb。Dotheymerelyperishofinanitioninthepresenceofanunaccustomedfood，whichrevoltstheirappetite，oraretheypoisonedbythesmallquantityofhoneyabsorbedwiththeearlymouthfuls？Icannottell。Thefactremainsthat，whetherpoisonousorrepugnant，theBeeinthestateofbreadandjamisdeathtothem；andthisresultexplains，moreclearlythantheunfavourablecircumstanceofmyformerexperiment，myfailureswiththeBeethathadnotbeenmadetodisgorge。
ThisrefusaltotouchtheunwholesomeordistastefulhoneyisconnectedwithprinciplesofnutritionwhicharetoogeneraltoconstituteagastronomicpeculiarityofthePhilanthus。Theothercarnivorouslarvae，atleastintheorderoftheHymenoptera，areboundtoshareit。Letustry。
Wewillgotoworkasbefore。Iunearththelarvaewhentheyhaveattainedamediumsize，toavoidtheweaknessofinfancy；Itakeawaythenaturalprovisions，smearthecarcasesseparatelywithhoneyand，whenthisisdone，restoreitsvictualstoeachofthegrubs。Ihadtomakeachoice:
noteverysubjectwasequallysuitedtomyexperiments。Imustrejectthelarvaewhicharefedononefatjoint，suchasthoseoftheScolia。Thegrubinfactattacksitspreyatadeterminedpoint，dipsitsheadandneckintotheinsect\'sbody，rootingskilfullyintheentrailstokeepthegamefreshuntiltheendofthemeal，anddoesnotwithdrawfromthebreachuntilthewholeskinisemptiedofitscontents。
Tomakeitletgowiththeobjectofcoatingtheinsideofthevenisonwithhoneyhadtwodrawbacks:Ishouldbecompromisingthelingeringvitalitywhichsavestheinsectthatisbeingdevouredfromgoingbadand，atthesametime，Ishouldbedisturbingthedelicateartofthedevouringinsect，which，ifremovedfromthelodewhichitwasworking，wouldnolongerbeabletorecoveritortodistinguishbetweenthelawfulandtheunlawfulmorsels。ThelarvaoftheScolia，consumingitsCetonia-grub，hastaughtusallthatwewanttoknowonthissubjectinmyearliervolume。(Chapters2
to5ofthepresentvolumecontainthewholeofthematterreferredtoabove——Translator\'sNote。)Theonlyacceptablelarvaearethosesuppliedwithaheapofsmallinsects，whichareattackedwithoutanyspecialart，dismemberedatrandomandeatenupquickly。AmongtheseIhavetestedsuchaschancethrewinmyway:thoseofvariousBembeces，allfedonFlies，thoseofthePalarus，whosebilloffareconsistsofaverylargeassortmentofHymenoptera；thoseoftheTarsalTachytes，suppliedwithyoungLocusts；thoseoftheNest-buildingOdynerus，furnishedwithChrysomela-grubs；thoseoftheSandCerceris，endowedwithapinchofWeevils。Agoodlyvariety，asyousee，ofconsumersandconsumed。Well，toallofthesetheseasoningwithhoneyprovedfatal。Whetherpoisonedordisgusted，theyalldiedinafewdays。
Astrangeresultindeed！Honey，thenectaroftheflowers，thesoledietoftheBee-tribeinbothitsformsandthesoleresourceoftheWaspinheraadultform，istothelarvaeofthelatteranobjectofinsurmountablerepugnanceandprobablyatoxicdish。Eventhetransformationofthenymphosissurprisesmelessthanthisinversionoftheappetite。Whathappensintheinsect\'sstomachtomaketheadultseekpassionatelywhattheyoungsterrefusedlestitshoulddie？Thisisnotaquestionoforganicdebilityunabletoendureatoosubstantial，toohard，toohighlyspiceddish。ThegrubthatgnawstheCetonia-larva，thatgenerouspieceofbutcher\'smeat；thegluttonthatcrunchesitsbatchoftoughLocusts；theonethatbattensonnitrobenzine-flavouredgame:theycertainlyownunfastidiousgulletsandaccommodatingstomachs。Andtheserobusteatersallowthemselvestodieofhungerordigestivetroublesbecauseofadropofsyrup，thelightestfoodimaginable，suitedtotheweaknessofextremeyouthandafeastfortheadultbesides！Whatagulfofobscurityinthestomachofawretchedgrub！
Thesegastronomicalresearchescalledforacounterexperiment。Thecarnivorouslarvaiskilledbyhoney。Conversely，isthemellivorouslarvakilledbyanimalfood？Reservationsareneedfulhere，asintheprevioustests。WeshouldbecourtingaflatrefusalifweofferedapinchofLocuststothelarvaeoftheAnthophoraortheOsmia，forinstance。(ForboththeseWildBeescf。“Bramble-beesandOthers“:passim——Translator\'sNote。)Thehoney-fedinsectwouldnotbiteintoit。Therewouldbenousewhateverintrying。Wemustfindtheequivalentofthejam-sandwichaforesaid；inotherwords，wemustgivethelarvaitsnaturalfarewithamixtureofanimalfood。Theadditionmadebymyartificesshallbealbumen，asfoundintheeggoftheHen，albumentheisomeroffibrin，whichistheessentialfactorinanyformofprey。
Ontheotherhand，theThree-hornedOsmialendsherselfmostadmirablytomyplans，becauseofherdryhoney，consistingforthegreaterpartofflourypollen。Ithereforekneadthishoneywithalbumen，graduatingthedoseuntilitsweightlargelyexceedsthatoftheflour。InthiswayI
obtainpastesofdifferentdegreesofconsistency，butallfirmenoughtobearthelarvawithoutdangerofimmersion。Withtoofluidamixturetherewouldbeariskofdeathbydrowning。LastlyIinstallamoderately-
developedlarvaoneachofmyalbuminouscakes。
Thedishofmyinventingdoesnotincitedislike:farfromit。Thegrubsattackitwithouthesitationandconsumeitwitheveryappearanceoftheusualappetite。Thingscouldnotgobetterifthefoodhadnotbeenalteredbymyculinaryrecipes。Everythinggoesdown，includingthemorselsinwhichIfearedthatIhadoverdonetheadditionofalbumen。And——anevenmoreimportantpoint——theOsmia-larvaefedinthismannerattaintheirnormaldimensionsandspintheircocoons，fromwhichadultinsectsissueinthefollowingyear。Notwithstandingthealbuminousregimen，thecycleoftheevolutionisachievedwithoutimpediment。
Whatarewetoconcludefromallthis？Ifeelgreatlyembarrassed。Omnevivumexovo，thephysiologiststellus。Everyanimaliscarnivorous，initsfirstbeginnings:itisformedandnourishedatthecostofitsegg，inwhichalbumenpredominates。Thehighest，themammal，adherestothisdietforalongtime:ithasitsmother\'smilk，richincasein，anotherisomerofalbumen。Thegramnivorousnestlingisfirstfedongrubs，whicharebetteradaptedtothenicetiesofitsstomach；manyoftheminutestnew-
borncreatures，beingatoncelefttotheirowndevices，taketoanimalfood。Inthiswaytheoriginalmethodofnourishmentiscontinuedforallalike:themethodwhichallowsfleshtobemadefromfleshandbloodfromblood，withnochemicalprocessbeyondthesimplestmodification。Atmaturity，whenthestomachhasacquireditsfullstrength，vegetablefoodisadopted，involvingamorecomplicatedchemistrybuteasiertoobtain。
Milkisfollowedbyfodder，wormsbyseeds，thepreyintheburrowbythenectaroftheflowers。
ThissuppliesapartialexplanationofthetwofolddietoftheHymenopterawithcarnivorouslarvae:meatfirst，honeynext。Butthenthenoteofinterrogationisshifted。Itstoodelsewhere；itnowstandshere。WhyistheOsmia，whoasalarvafaressowellonalbumen，fedonhoneyatthestart？WhydotheBee-tribereceiveavegetabledietwhentheothermembersoftheorderreceiveananimaldiet？
IfIwereabelieverinevolution，Ishouldsayyes，bythefactofitsgerm，everyanimalisoriginallycarnivorous。Theinsectinparticularstartswithalbuminoidmaterials。Manylarvaeadheretotheegg-food，manyadultinsectsdolikewise。Butthestruggletofillthebelly，whichafterallisthestruggleforlife，demandssomethingbetterthantheprecarioushazardsofthechase。Man，atfirstaravenoushunteraftergame，broughttheflockintoexistenceandturnedshepherdtoavoidatimeofdearth。Anevengreaterprogressinspiredhimtoscrapetheearthandtosowseed，whichassureshimofaliving。Theevolutionfromscarcitytomoderationandfrommoderationtoplentyhasledtotheresourcesofhusbandry。
Theanimalsforestalledusthispathofprogress。TheancestorsofthePhilanthus，intheremoteagesofthelacustriantertiaryformations，livedbypreyinboththelarvalandtheadultforms:theyhuntedforthemselvesaswellasforthefamily。TheydidnotconfinethemselvestoemptyingtheBee\'scrop，astheirdescendantsdotothisday:theydevouredthedeceased。Fromthebeginningtotheendtheyremainedflesh-eaters。Later，fortunateinnovators，whoseracesupplantedthelaggards，discoveredaninexhaustiblenourishment，obtainedwithoutdangerousconflictsorlaborioussearch:thesugarysecretionsoftheflowers。Thecostlyhabitoflivingonprey，whichdoesnotfavourlargepopulations，wasmaintainedforthefeeblelarvae；butthevigorousadultbrokeherselfofittoleadaneasierandmoreprosperouslife。Thus，gradually，wasformedthePhilanthusofourday；thuswasacquiredthetwofolddietofthevariouspredatoryinsectsourcontemporaries。
TheBeehasdonebetterstill:fromthemomentofleavingtheeggshedeliveredherselfcompletelyfromfood-stuffstheacquisitionofwhichdependedonchance。Shediscoveredhoney，thegrubs\'food。Renouncingthechaseforeverandbecominganagriculturalistpureandsimple，theinsectattainsadegreeofphysicalandmoralprosperitywhichthepredatoryspeciesarefarfromsharing。HencetheflourishingcoloniesoftheAnthophorae，theOsmiae，theEucerae(Agenusoflong-hornedBurrowingBees——Translator\'sNote。)，theHalictiandotherhoney-manufacturers，whereasthepredatoryinsectsworkinisolation；hencethesocietiesinwhichtheBeedisplaysherwonderfultendencies，thesupremeexpressionofinstinct。
ThisiswhatIshouldsayifIbelongedtothatschool。Itallformsachainofverylogicaldeductionsandproffersitselfwithacertainairoflikelihoodwhichweshouldbegladtofindinahostofevolutionistargumentsputforwardasirrefutable。Well，Iwillmakeapresentofmydeductiveviews，withoutregret，towhoevercarestohavethem:Idon\'tbelieveonewordofthem；andIconfessmyprofoundignoranceoftheoriginofthetwofolddiet。
WhatIdounderstandmoreclearly，afteralltheseinvestigations，isthetacticsofthePhilanthus。Whenwitnessingherferociousfeasting，therealreasonofwhichwasunknowntome，Iheapedthemostill-soundingepithetsuponher，callingheramurderess，abandit，apirate，arobberofthedead。Ignoranceisalwaysevil-tongued；themanwhodoesnotknowindulgesinrudeassertionsandmischievousinterpretations。Nowthatmyeyeshavebeenopenedtothefacts，IhastentoapologizeandtorestorethePhilanthustoherplaceinmyesteem。IndrainingthecropsofherBeesthemotherisperformingthemostpraiseworthyofallactions:sheisprotectingherfamilyagainstpoison。Ifshehappenstokillonherownaccountandtoabandonthecorpseaftermakingitdisgorge，Idarenotreckonthisagainstherasacrime。WhenthehabithasbeenformedofemptyingtheBee\'scropwithagoodmotive，thereisagreattemptationtodoitagainwithnootherexcusethanhunger。Besides，whoknows？Perhapsthereisalwaysatthebackofherhuntingsomethoughtofgamewhichmightbeusefulforthelarvae。Althoughnotcarriedintoeffect，theintentionexcusesthedeed。
Ithereforewithdrawmyepithetsinordertoadmiretheinsect\'smaternallogicandtoholdituptotheadmirationofothers。Thehoneywouldbepernicioustothehealthofthelarvae。Howdoesthemotherknowthatthesyrup，atreatforher，isunwholesomeforheryoung？Tothisquestionourscienceoffersnoreply。Thehoney，Isay，wouldimperilthegrubs\'lives，TheBeemustthereforefirstbemadetodisgorge。Thedisgorgingmustbeeffectedwithoutlaceratingthevictim，whichthenurselingmustreceiveinthefreshstate；andtheoperationisimpracticableonaparalysedinsectbecauseoftheresistanceofthestomach。TheBeemustthereforebekilledoutrightinsteadofbeingparalysed，orthehoneywillnotbevoided。
Instantaneousdeathcanbeinflictedonlybywoundingtheprimordialcentreoflife。Thestingmustthereforeaimatthecervicalganglia，theseatofinnervationonwhichtherestoftheorganismdepends。Toreachthemthereisonlyoneway，throughthelittlegapinthethroat。Itisherethereforethatthestingmustbeinserted；anditishereinfactthatitisinserted，inaspothardlyaslargeasthetwenty-fifthofaninchsquare。
Suppressasinglelinkofthiscompactchain，andtheBee-fedPhilanthusbecomesimpossible。
Thathoneyisfataltocarnivorouslarvaeisafactwhichteemswithconsequences。SeveralHuntingWaspsfeedtheirfamiliesuponBees。Theseinclude，tomyknowledge，theCrownedPhilanthus(P。coronatus，FAB。)，wholinesherburrowswithbigHalicti；theRobberPhilanthus(P。raptor，LEP。)，whochasesallthesmaller-sizedHalicti，suitedtoherowndimensions，indifferently；theOrnateCerceris(C。ornata，FAB。)，anotherpassionateloverofHalicti；andthePalarus(P。flavipes，FAB。)，who，withacuriouseclecticism，stacksinhercellsthegreaterpartoftheHymenopteronclanthatdoesnotexceedherpowers。Whatdothesefourhuntressesandtheothersofsimilarhabitsdowiththeirvictimswhosecropsaremoreorlessswollenwithhoney？TheymustfollowtheexampleoftheBee-eatingPhilanthusandmakethemdisgorge，lesttheirfamilyperishofahoneyeddiet；theymustmanipulatethedeadBee，squeezeheranddrainherdry。Everythinggoestoshowit。Ileaveittothefuturetodisplaythesedazzlingproofsofmydoctrineintheirproperlight。
CHAPTER11。THEMETHODOFTHEAMMOPHILAE。(FortheseSand-wasps，cf。“TheHuntingWasps“:chapters13and18to20——Translator\'sNote。)
Myreadersmaydifferinappraisingthecomparativevalueofthetriflingdiscoverieswhichentomologyowestomylabours。Thegeologist，therecorderofforms，willpreferthehypermetamorphosisoftheOil-beetles(ThechaptertreatingofthissubjecthasnotyetbeentranslatedintoEnglishandwillappearinalatervolume——Translator\'sNote。)，thedevelopmentoftheAnthrax(Cf。“TheLifeoftheFly“:chapter2——
Translator\'sNote。)orlarvaldimorphism；theembryogenist，searchingintothemysteriesoftheegg，willhavesomeesteemformyenquiriesintotheegg-layinghabitsoftheOsmia(Cf。“Bramble-beesandOthers“:chapter4——
Translator\'sNote。)；thephilosopher，rackinghisbrainoverthenatureofinstinct，willawardthepalmtotheoperationsoftheHuntingWasps。I
agreewiththephilosopher。Withouthesitation，Iwouldabandonalltherestofmyentomologicalbaggageforthisdiscovery，whichhappenstobetheearliestindateandthatofwhichIhavethefondestmemories。NowheredoIfindamorebrilliant，morelucid，moreeloquentproofoftheintuitivewisdomofinstinct；nowheredoesthetheoryofevolutionsufferamoreobstinatecheck。
Darwin，atruejudge，madenomistakeaboutit。(CharlesRobertDarwin，bornthe12thofFebruary，1809，atShrewsbury，diedatDown，inKent，onthe19thofApril，1882。Foranaccountofcertainexperimentswhichtheauthorconductedonhisbehalf，cf。“TheMason-bees“:chapter4——
Translator\'sNote。)Hegreatlydreadedtheproblemoftheinstincts。Myfirstresultsinparticularlefthimveryanxious。IfhehadknownthetacticsoftheHairyAmmophila，theMantis-huntingTachytes，theBee-eatingPhilanthus，theCalicurgiandothermarauders，hisanxiety，Ibelieve，wouldhaveendedinafrankadmissionthathewasunabletosqueezeinstinctintothemouldofhisformula。Alas，thephilosopherofDownquittedthisworldwhenthediscussion，withexperimentstosupportit，hadbarelybegun:amethodsuperiortoanyargument！ThelittlethatIhadpublishedatthattimelefthimwithstillsomehopeofanexplanation。Inhiseyes，instinctwasalwaysanacquiredhabit。ThepredatoryWaspskilledtheirpreyatfirstbystabbingitatrandom，hereandthere，inthesoftestparts。Bydegreestheyfoundthespotwherethestingwasmosteffectual；andthehabitonceformedbecameatrueinstinct。Transitionsfromonemethodofoperationtotheother，intermediarychanges，sufficedtobolsterupthesesweepingassertions。Inaletterofthe16thofApril，1881，heasksG。J。Romanestoconsidertheproblem:
“Idonotknow，“hesays“whetheryouwilldiscussinyourbookonthemindofanimalsanyofthemorecomplexandwonderfulinstincts。Itisunsatisfactorywork，astherecanbenofossilisedinstincts，andthesoleguideistheirstateinothermembersofthesameorder，andmerePROBABILITY。
“Butifyoudodiscussany(anditwillperhapsbeexpectedofyou)，I
shouldthinkthatyoucouldnotselectabettercasethanthatofthesand-
waspswhichparalysetheirpreyasdescribedbyFabreinhiswonderfulpaperinthe“Analesdessciencesnaturelles，“andsinceamplifiedinhisadmirable“Souvenirs……“
Ithankyou，Oillustriousmaster，foryoureulogisticexpressions，provingthekeeninterestwhichyoutookinmystudiesofinstinct，noungratefultask——farfromit——whenwetackleitasitshouldbetackled:fromthefront，withtheaidoffacts，andnotfromtheflank，withtheaidofarguments。Argumentsarehereoutofplace，ifwewishtomaintainourpositioninthelight。Besides，wherewouldtheyleadus？Toevokingtheinstinctsofbygoneages，whichhavenotbeenpreservedbyfossilization？
Anysuchappealtothedimanddistantpastisquiteunnecessary，ifwewishforvariationsofinstinct，leadingbydegrees，accordingtoyou，fromoneinstincttoanother；thepresentworldoffersusplenty。
Eachoperatorhasherparticularmethod，herparticularkindofgame，herparticularpointsofattackandtricksoffence；butinthemidstofthisvarietyoftalentsweobserve，immutableandpredominant，theperfectaccordanceofthesurgerywiththevictim\'sorganizationandthelarva\'sneeds。Theartofonewillnotexplaintheartofanother，nolessexactinthedelicacyofitsrules。Eachoperatorhasherowntactics，whichtoleratenoapprenticeship。TheAmmophila，theScolia，thePhilanthusandtheothersalltellusthesamething:nonecanleavedescendantsifshebenotfromtheoutsettheskilfulparalyserorslayerthatsheisto-day。The“almost“isimpracticablewhenthefutureoftheraceisatstake。Whatwouldhavebecomeofthefirst-bornmammalbutforitsperfectinstinctofsuckling？
Andthen，tosupposetheimpossible:aWaspdiscoversbychancetheoperativemethodwhichwillbethesavingattributeofherrace。Howarewetoadmitthatthisfortuitousact，towhichthemotherhasvouchsafednomoreattentionthantoherotherlessfortunateattempts，couldleaveaprofoundtracebehinditandbefaithfullytransmittedbyheredity？Isitnotgoingbeyondreason，goingbeyondthelittlethatisknowntousascertain，ifwegranttoatavismthisstrangepower，ofwhichourpresentworldknowsnoinstance？Thereisagooddealtobesaidforthispointofview，myreveredmaster！But，oncemore，argumentsarehereoutofplace；
thereisroomonlyforfacts，ofwhichIwillresumetherecital。
HithertoIhadbutonemeansofstudyingtheoperativemethodsofthespoilers:tosurprisetheWaspinpossessionofhercapture，torobherofherpreyandimmediatelytogiveherinexchangeasimilarprey，butalivingone。Thismethodofsubstitutionisanexcellentexpedient。Itsonlydefect——averygraveone——isthatitsubjectsobservationtoveryuncertainchances。Thereislittleprospectofmeetingtheinsectdraggingitsvictimalong；and，inthesecondplace，shouldgoodfortunesuddenlysmileuponyou，preoccupiedasyouarewithothermattersyouhavenotthesubstituteathand。Ifweprovideourselveswiththenecessaryheadofgameinadvance，thehuntressisnotthere。Weavoidonereeftofounderonanother。Moreover，theseunlookedforobservations，madesometimesonthepublichighway，theworstoflaboratories，areonlyhalf-satisfactory。Inthecaseofswiftly-enactedscenes，whichitisnotinourpowertorenewagainandagainuntilperfectconvictionisreached，wealwaysfearlestwemaynothaveseenaccurately，maynothaveseeneverything。
Amethodwhichcouldbecontrolledatwillwouldofferthebestguarantees，aboveallifemployedathome，undercomfortableconditions，favourabletoprecision。Iwished，therefore，toseemyinsectsatworkontheactualtableatwhichIamwritingtheirhistory。Hereveryfewoftheirsecretswouldescapeme。Thiswishofminewasanoldone。Asabeginner，ImadesomeexperimentsunderglasswiththeGreatCerceris(C。tuberculata)andtheYellow-wingedSphex。Neitherofthemrespondedtomydesires。TherefusalofeachtoattackrespectivelyherCleonusorherCricketdiscouragedfurtherprogressinthisdirection。Iwaswrongtoabandonmyattemptssosoon。Now，verylongafterwards，theideaoccurstometoplaceunderglasstheBee-eatingPhilanthus，whomIsometimessurpriseintheopenengagedinforcingabeetodisgorgeherhoney。Thecaptivemassacresherbeesinsuchaspiritedfashionthattheoldhoperevivesstrongerthanever。Icontemplatereviewingallthewieldersofthestilettoandforcingeachtorevealhertactics。
Iwasobligedtoabatetheseambitionsconsiderably。Ihadsomesuccessesandmanymorefailures。Iwilltellyouoftheformer。Myinsect-cageisaspaciousdomeofwire-gauzerestingonabedofsand。HereIkeepinreservethecaptivesofmyhunting-expeditions。Ifeedthemonhoney，placedinlittledropsonspikesoflavender，onheadsofthistle，orfielderyngo，orglobe-thistle，accordingtotheseason。Mostofmyprisonersdowellonthisdietandseemscarcelyaffectedbytheirinternment；otherspineawayanddieintwoorthreedays。Thesevictimsofdespairnearlyalwaysthrowmeback，becauseofthedifficultyofobtainingthenecessarypreyatshortnotice。
Indeeditentailsnosmalltroubletosecureinthenickoftimethegamedemandedbythehuntresswhohasrecentlyfallenacaptivetomynet。Asassistant-purveyorsIhaveafewsmallschoolboys，who，releasedfromthetediumoftheirdeclensionsandconjugations，setout，onleavingtheclassroom，toinspectthegreenswardsandbeatthebushesintheneighbourhoodonmybehalf。Thegrossou，thepenny-piece，ifyouplease，stimulatestheirzeal；butwithmisadventurousresults！WhatIneedto-dayisCrickets。ThebandsalliesforthandreturnswithnotasingleCricket，butnumbersofEphippigers，forwhichIaskedthedaybeforeyesterdayandwhichInolongerneed，myLanguedocianSphexbeingdead。Generalsurpriseatthissuddenchangeofmarket。Myyoungscatterbrainsfindithardtounderstandthatthebeastwhichwassoprecioustwodaysagoisnowofnovaluewhatever。When，owingtothechancesofmynet，areneweddemandfortheEphippigersetsin，thentheywillbringmetheCricket，thedespisedCricket。
Suchatradecouldneverholdoutifnowandagainmyspeculatorswerenotencouragedbysomesuccess。Atthemomentwhenurgentnecessityissendingupprices，oneofthembringsmeamagnificentGad-flyintendedfortheBembex。Fortwohours，whenthesunwasatitsheight，hekeptwatchonthethreshing-floorhardby，waitingfortheblood-sucker，inordertocatchhimonthebuttocksoftheMuleswhichtrotroundandroundtramplingthecorn。Thisgallantfellowshallhavehisgrossouandasliceofbreadandjamaswell。Asecond，nolessfortunate，hasfoundafatSpider，theEpeira，forwhommyPompiliarewaiting。TothetwosousofthisfortunateyouthIaddalittlepictureforhismissal。Thusaremypurveyorskeptgoing；and，afterall，theirhelpwouldbeveryinadequateifIdidnottakeuponmyselfthemainburdenofthesewearisomequests。
Onceinpossessionoftherequisiteprey，Itransferthehuntressfrommywarehouse，thewire-gauzecage，toabell-glassvaryingincapacityfromonetothreeorfourlitres(13/4to5or7pints——Translator\'sNote。)，accordingtothesizeandhabitsofthecombatants；Iplacethevictiminthearena；Iexposethebell-glasstothedirectraysofthesun，withoutwhichconditiontheexecutionerasaruledeclinestooperate；Iarmmyselfwithpatienceandawaitevents。
WewillbeginwiththeHairyAmmophila，myneighbour。Yearafteryear，whenAprilcomes，Iseeherinconsiderablenumbers，verybusyonthepathsinmyenclosure。UntilJuneIseeherdiggingherburrowsandsearchingfortheGreyWorm，tobeplacedinthemeat-cellar。HertacticsarethemostcomplexthatIknowandmorethananyotherdeservestobethoroughlystudied。Tocapturethecunningvivisector，toreleaseherandcatchheragainIfindaneasymatterforthebestpartofamonth；sheworksoutsidemydoor。
IhavestilltoobtaintheGreyWorm。ThismeansarepetitionofthedisappointmentswhichIhadbefore，when，tofindacaterpillar，IwasobligedtowatchtheAmmophilawhilehuntingandtobeguidedbyherhints，asthetruffle-hunterisguidedbythescentofhisDog。Apatientexplorationoftheharmas，onetuftofthymeafteranother，doesnotgivemeasingleworm。Myrivalsinthissearcharefindingtheirgameateverymoment；Icannotfinditevenonce。Yetonemorereasonforbowingtothesuperiorityoftheinsectinthemanagementofheraffairs。Mybandofschoolboysgettoworkinthesurroundingfields。Nothing，alwaysnothing！
Iinmyturnexploretheouterworld；andfortendaysthepursuitofacaterpillartormentsmetillIlosemypowerofsleep。Then，atlast，victory！Atthefootofasunnywall，underthebuddingrosettesofthepanicledcentaury，IfindafairsupplyofthepreciousGreyWormoritsequivalent。
BeholdthewormandtheAmmophilafacetofacebeneaththebell-glass。
Usuallytheattackispromptenough。Thecaterpillarisgrabbedbytheneckwiththemandibles，wide，curvedpincerscapableofembracingthegreaterpartofthelivingcylinder。Thecreaturethusseizedtwistsandturnsandsometimes，withablowofitstail，sendstheassailantrollingtoadistance。Thelatterisunconcernedandthrustsherstingthriceinrapidsuccessionintothethorax，beginningwiththethirdsegmentandendingwiththefirst，wheretheweaponisdrivenhomewithgreaterdeterminationthanelsewhere。
Thecaterpillaristhenreleased。TheAmmophilastampsontheground；withherquiveringtarsishetapsthecardboardonwhichthebell-glassstands；
sheliesdownflat，dragsherselfalong，getsupagain，flattensherselfoncemore。Thewingsjerkconvulsively。Fromtimetotimetheinsectplacesitsmandiblesandforeheadontheground，thenrearshighuponitshind-
legsasthoughtoturnheadoverheels。InallthisIseeamanifestationofdelight。Werubourhandswhenrejoicingatasuccess；theAmmophilaiscelebratinghertriumphoverthemonsterinherownfashion。Duringthisfitofdeliriousjoy，whatisthewoundedcaterpillardoing？Itcannolongerwalk；butallthepartbehindthethoraxstrugglesviolently，curlinganduncurlingwhentheAmmophilasetsafootuponit。Themandiblesopenandshutmenacingly。
SECONDACT——Whentheoperationisresumed，thecaterpillarisseizedbytheback。Fromfronttorear，inorder，allthesegmentsarestungontheventralsurface，exceptthethreeoperatedon。Allseriousdangerisavertedbythestabsofthefirstact；therefore，theWaspisnowabletoworkuponherpatientwithoutthehastedisplayedattheoutset。
Deliberatelyandmethodicallyshedrivesinherlancet，withdrawsit，selectsthespot，stabsitandbeginsagain，passingfromsegmenttosegment，takingcare，eachtime，tolayholdofthebackalittlemoretotherear，inordertobringthesegmenttobeparalysedwithinreachoftheneedle。Forthesecondtime，thecaterpillarisreleased。Itisabsolutelyinert，exceptthemandibles，whicharestillcapableofbiting。
THIRDACT——TheAmmophilaclaspstheparalysedvictimbetweenherlegs；
withthehooksofhermandiblessheseizesthebackofitsneck，atthebaseofthefirstthoracicsegment。Fornearlytenminutesshemunchesthisweakspot，whichliesclosetothecerebralnerve-centres。Thepincerssqueezesuddenlybutatintervalsandmethodically，asthoughthemanipulatorwishedeachtimetojudgeoftheeffectproduced；thesqueezesarerepeateduntilIamtiredoftryingtocountthem。Whentheycease，thecaterpillar\'smandiblesaremotionless。Thencomesthetransportationofthecarcase，adetailwhichisnotrelevantinthisplace。
Ihavesetforththecompletetragedy，asitisfairlyoftenenacted，butnotalways。Theinsectisnotamachine，unvaryingintheeffectofitsmechanism；itisallowedacertainlatitude，enablingittocopewiththeeventualitiesofthemoment。AnyoneexpectingtoseetheincidentsofthestruggleunfoldingthemselvesexactlyasIhavedescribedwillriskdisappointment。Specialinstancesoccur——theyareevennumerous——whicharemoreorlessatvariancewiththegeneralrule。Itwillbewelltomentionthemoreimportant，inordertoputfutureobserversontheirguard。
Notinfrequentlythefirstact，thatofparalysingthethorax，isrestrictedtotwothrustsofthestinginsteadofthree，oreventoone，whichisthendeliveredintheforemostsegment。This，itwouldseem，fromthepersistencywithwhichtheAmmophilainflictsit，isthemostimportantprickofall。Isitunreasonabletosupposethattheoperator，whenshebeginsbyprickingthethorax，intendstosubduehercaptureandtomakeitincapableofinjuringher，orevenofdisturbingherwhenthemomentcomesforthedelicateandprotractedsurgeryofthesecondact？Thisideaseemstomehighlyadmissible；andthen，insteadofthreedagger-thrusts，whynottwoonly，whynotmerelyone，ifthiswouldsufficeforthetimebeing？Theamountofvigourdisplayedbythecaterpillarmustbetakenintoconsideration。Bethisasitmay，thesegmentssparedinthefirstactarestabbedinthesecond。Ihavesometimesevenseenthethreethoracicsegmentsstungtwiceover:atthebeginningoftheattackandagainwhentheWaspreturnedtohervanquishedprey。
TheAmmophila\'striumphanttransportsbesideherwoundedandwrithingvictimarealsosubjecttoexceptions。Sometimes，withoutreleasingitspreyforamoment，theinsectproceedsfromthethoraxtothenextsegmentsandcompletesitsoperationinasinglespell。Thejoyousentr\'actedoesnottakeplace；theconvulsivemovementsofthewingsandtheacrobaticposturesaresuppressed。
Theruleisparalysisofallthesegments，howevermany，inregularorderfromfronttoback，includingeventheanalsegmentifthisboastoflegs。
Byafairlyfrequentexceptionthelasttwoorthreesegmentsarespared。
Anotherexception，butaveryrareone，ofwhichIhaveobservedonlyasingleinstance，consistsintheinversionofthedagger-thrustsofthesecondact，thethrustsbeingdeliveredfrombacktofront。Thecaterpillaristhenseizedbyitshinderextremity；andtheAmmophila，progressingtowardsthehead，stingsinreverseorder，passingfromthesucceedingtotheprecedingsegment，includingthethoraxalreadystabbed。ThisreversaloftheusualtacticsIaminclinedtoattributetonegligenceontheinsect\'spart。Negligenceornot，theinvertedmethodhasthesamefinalresultasthedirectmethod:theparalysisofallthesegments。
Lastly，thecompressionoftheneckbythemandibularypincers，themunchingoftheweakspotbetweenthebaseoftheskullandthefirstsegmentofthethorax，issometimespractisedandsometimesneglected。Ifthecaterpillar\'sjawsopenandthreaten，theAmmophilastillsthembybitingtheneck；iftheyarealreadygrowingquiescent，sherefrains。
Withoutbeingindispensable，thisoperationisusefulatthemomentofcartingtheprey。Thecaterpillar，tooheavytobecarriedonthewing，isdragged，headfirst，betweentheAmmophila\'slegs。Ifthemandiblesareworking，theleastclumsinessmayrenderthemdangeroustothecarrier，whoisexposedtotheirbitewithoutanymeansofdefence。
Moreover，onceontheway，thicketsofgrassaretraversedinwhichtheGreyWormcanseizeabladeandofferadesperateresistancetothetraction。Noristhisall。TheAmmophiladoesnotasaruletroubleaboutherburrow，oratleastdoesnotcompleteit，untilshehascaughthercaterpillar。Duringthemining-operations，thegameislaidsomewherehighup，outofreachoftheAnts，onsometuftofgrass，orthetwigsofashrub，whitherthehuntress，fromtimetotime，stoppingherwell-sinking，hastenstoseeifherquarryisstillthere。Forherthisisameansofrefreshinghermemoryofthespotwhereshehaslaidit，oftenatsomedistancefromtheburrow，andofpreventingattemptsatrobbery。Whenthemomentcomesforremovingthegamefromitshiding-place，thedifficultywouldbeinsurmountableweretheworm，grippingtheshrubwithallthemightofitsjaws，toanchoritselfthere。Henceinertiaofthepowerfulhooks，whicharetheparalysedcreature\'ssolemeansofresistance，becomesessentialduringthecarting。TheAmmophilaobtainsitbycompressingthecerebralganglia，bymunchingtheneck。Theinertiaistemporary；itwearsoffsoonerorlater；butbythistimethecarcaseisinthecellandtheegg，prudentlylaidatadistanceontheventralsurfaceoftheworm，hasnothingtofearfromthecaterpillar\'sgrapnels。NocomparisonispermissiblebetweenthemethodicalsqueezesoftheAmmophilabenumbingthecephalicnerve-centresandthebrutalmanipulationsofthePhilanthusemptyingthecropofherBee。ThehuntressofGreyWormsinducesatemporarytorporofthemandibles；theravisherofBeesmakesthemejecttheirhoney。Noonegiftedwiththeleastperspicacitywillconfoundthetwooperations。
ForthemomentwewillnotdwellanylongeronthemethodoftheHairyAmmophila；wewillseeinsteadhowherkinswomenbehave。AfterprotractedrefusalstheSandyAmmophila(A。sabulosa，FAB。)，onwhomIexperimentedinSeptember，endedbyacceptingtheprofferedprey，apowerfulcaterpillarasthickasalead-pencil。ThesurgicalmethoddidnotdifferfromthatemployedbytheHairyAmmophilawhenoperatingonherGreyWorminonespell。Allthesegments，exceptingthelastthree，werestungfromfronttoback，beginningwiththeprothorax。Thissinglesuccesswithasimplifiedmethodleftmeinignoranceoftheaccessorymanoeuvres，whichIdonotdoubtmustmoreorlesscloselyrecallthoseoftheprecedingspecies。
Iamallthemoreinclinedtoacceptthesesecondarymanoeuvres，notasyetrecorded——thetransportsoftriumphandthecompressionsoftheneck——
inasmuchasIseethempractisedupontheLoopercaterpillars，whichdiffersogreatlyfromtheothersinexternalstructure，exactlyasIhavedescribedtheminthecaseoftheGreyWorm，whichisoftheordinaryform。
Twospecies，theSilkyAmmophila(A。holoserica，FAB。)andJules\'Ammophila(Seeinthefirstvolumeofthe“Souvenirsentomologiques“whatImeanbythisdenomination——Author\'sNote。)，affectthiscuriousprey，whichmoveswiththestrideofapairofcompasses。Thefirst，oftenrenewedunderglassduringthegreaterpartofAugust，hasalwaysrefusedmyoffers；thesecond，hercontemporary，has，onthecontrary，promptlyacceptedthem。
IpresentJules\'Ammophilawithaslender，brownishLooperwhichIcaughtonthejasmine。Theattackisnotslowincoming。Thecaterpillarisgrabbedbytheneck:livelycontortionsofthevictim，whichrollstheaggressoroveranddragsheralong，nowuppermost，nowundermostinthestruggle。Firstthethoraxisstung，initsthreerings，frombacktofront。Thestinglingerslongestnearthethroat，inthefirstsegment。
Thisdone，theAmmophilareleaseshervictimandproceedstostamphertarsi，topolishherwings，tostretchherself。AgainIobservetheacrobaticpostures，theforeheadtouchingtheground，thehinderpartofthebodyraised。ThismimictriumphisthesameasthatofthehuntressoftheGreyWorm。ThentheLooperisoncemoreseized。Despiteitscontortions，whicharenotintheleastabatedbythethreewoundsinthethorax，itisstungfromfronttobackineachsegmentstillunwounded，nomatterhowmany，whethersuppliedwithlegsornot。Iexpectedtoseethestingrefrainmoreorlessinthelongintervalwhichseparatesthetruelegsinfrontfromthepro-legsattheback(Fleshylegsfoundontheabdominalsegmentsofcaterpillarsandcertainotherlarvae——Translator\'sNote。):segmentsdevoidoforgansofdefenceorlocomotiondidnotseemtometodeserveconscientioussurgery。Iwasmistaken:notasegmentoftheLooperisspared，noteventhelastones。Itistruethatthese，beingeminentlycapableofcatchingholdwiththeirfalselegs，wouldbedangerouslaterweretheWasptoneglectthem。
Iobserve，however，thatthelancetworksmorerapidlyinthesecondpartoftheoperationthaninthefirst，eitherbecausethecaterpillar，halfsubjugatedbythetriplewoundattheoutset，iseasiertoreachwiththesting，orbecausethesegmentsmoreremotefromtheheadarerenderedharmlesswithasmallerinjectionofpoison。Nowheredoweseerepeatedthecareexpendeduponparalysingthethorax，stilllesstheinsistentattentiontothefirstsegment。OnreturningtoherLooperaftertheentr\'actedevotedtothejoysofsuccess，theAmmophilastabssoswiftlythat，ononeoccasion，Isawherobligedtobeginalloveragain。Lightlystungalongitswholelength，thevictimstillstruggles。Withouthesitation，theoperatorunsheathesherscalpelforthesecondtimeandoperatesontheLooperafresh，withtheexceptionofthethorax，whichwasalreadysufficientlyanaesthetized。Thisdone，allisinorder；thereisnomoremovement。
Afterthestilettothehooksofthemandiblesrarelyfailtointervene。
Longandcurved，theynibbleattheparalysedvictim\'sneck，sometimesfromabove，sometimesfrombelow。ItisarepetitionofwhattheHairyAmmophilashowedus:thesamesuddensqueezesofthepincers，withratherlongintervalsbetween。Theseintervals，thesemeasuredbitesandtheinsect\'swatchfulattitudehaveeveryappearanceoftellingusthattheoperatorisnotingtheeffectproducedbeforegivingafreshpinchofthenippers。
ItwillbeseenhowvaluableistheevidenceofJules\'Ammophila:ittellsusthattheimmolatersofLoopercaterpillarsandthoseofordinarycaterpillarsfollowpreciselythesamemethod；thatvictimsdisplayingverydissimilarexternalstructuredonotentailanymodificationoftheoperativetacticssolongastheinternalorganizationremainsthesame。
Thenumber，arrangementanddegreeofmutualindependenceofthenerve-
centresguidethesting；theanatomyofthegame，ratherthanitsform，controlsthehuntress\'tactics。
Letmemention，beforeIdismissthesubject，asuperbexampleofthismarvellousanatomicaldiscrimination。IoncetookfrombetweenthelegsofaHairyAmmophila，whichhadjustparalysedit，acaterpillarofDicranuravinula。Whatastrangecapturecomparedwiththeordinarycaterpillar！
Bridlinginthickfoldsbeneathitspinkneckerchief，itsfore-partraisedinasphinx-likeattitude，itshinder-partslowlywavingtwolongcaudalthreads，thecuriousanimalisnocaterpillartotheschoolboywhobringsittome，nortothemanwhocomesuponitwhilecuttinghisbundleofosiers；butitisacaterpillartotheAmmophila，whotreatsitaccordingly。Iexplorethequeercreature\'ssegmentswiththepointofaneedle。Allareinsensitive；allthereforehavebeenstung。
CHAPTER12。THEMETHODOFTHESCOLIAE。
AftertheAmmophilae，theparalyserswhomultiplytheirlancet-thruststodestroytheinfluenceofthevariousnerve-centres，exceptingthoseofthehead，itseemedadvisabletointerrogateotherinsectswhichalsoareaccustomedtoanakedprey，vulnerableatallpointssavethehead，butwhichdeliveronlyasinglethrustofthesting。OfthesetwoconditionstheScoliaefulfilledone，withtheirregularquarry，thetenderCetonia-，Oryctes-orAnoxia-larva，accordingtotheScolia\'sspecies。Didtheyfulfilthesecond？Iwasconvincedbeforehandthattheydid。Fromtheanatomyofthevictims，withtheirconcentratednervoussystem，Iforesaw，whencompilingmyhistoryoftheScoliae，thatthestingwouldbeunsheathedonceonly；Ievenmentionedtheexactspotintowhichtheweaponwouldbeplunged。
Thesewereassertionsdictatedbytheanatomist\'sscalpel，withouttheslightestdirectproofderivedfromobservedfacts。Manoeuvresexecutedundergroundescapedtheeye，asitseemedtomethattheymustalwaysdo。
HowindeedcouldIhopethatacreaturewhoseartispractisedinthedarknessofaheapofmouldwoulddecidetoworkinbroaddaylight？Ididnotreckonuponitall。Nevertheless，tosalvemyconscience，ItriedbringingtheScoliaintocontactwithherpreyunderthebell-glass。Iwaswell-advisedtodoso，formysuccesswasininverseratiotomyhopes。
NexttothePhilanthus，noneoftheHuntingWaspsdisplayedsuchardourinattackingunderartificialconditions。Alltheinsectsexperimentedupon，somesooner，somelater，rewardedmeformypatience。LetuswatchtheTwo-
bandedScolia(S。bifasciata，VANDERLIND)operatingonherCetoniagrub。
Theincarceratedlarvastrivestoescapeitsterribleneighbour。Lyingonitsback，itfiercelywendsitswayroundandroundtheglasscircus。
PresentlytheScolia\'sattentionawakensandisbetrayedbyacontinuedtappingwiththetipsoftheantennaeuponthetable，whichnowrepresentstheaccustomedsoil。TheWaspattacksthegame，deliveringherassaultuponthemonster\'shinderend。SheclimbsupontheCetonia-grub，obtainingapurchasewiththetipofherabdomen。Thequarrymerelytravelsthemorequicklyonitsback，withoutcoilingitselfintoadefensiveposture。TheScoliareachesthefore-part，withtumblesandotheraccidentswhichvarygreatlywiththeamountoftolerancedisplayedbythelarva，herimprovisedsteed。Withhermandiblesshenipsapointofthethorax，ontheuppersurface；sheplacesherselfathwartthebeast，archesherselfandmakeseveryefforttoreachwiththeendofherabdomentheregionintowhichthestingistobedriven。Thearchisalittletoonarrowtoembracealmostthewholecircumferenceofhercorpulentprey；andsherenewsherattemptsandeffortsforalongtime。Thetipofthebellytrieseveryconceivableexpedient，touchinghere，thereandeverywhere，butasyetstoppingnowhere。Thispersistentsearchinitselfdemonstratestheimportancewhichtheparalyserattachestothepointatwhichherlancetistopenetratetheflesh。
Meanwhile，thelarvacontinuestomovealongonitsback。Suddenlyitcurlsup；withastrokeofitsheadithurlstheenemytoadistance。
Undiscouragedbyallherset-backs，theWasppicksherselfup，brushesherwingsandresumesherattackuponthecolossus，almostalwaysbymountingthelarva\'shinderend。Atlastafterallthesefruitlessattempts，theScoliasucceedsinachievingthecorrectposition。SheisseatedathwarttheCetonia-grub；themandiblesgripapointonthedorsalsurfaceofthethorax；thebody，bentintoabow，passesunderthelarvaandwiththetipofthebellyreachestheregionoftheneck。TheCetonia-grub，placedinseriousperil，writhes，coilsanduncoilsitself，spinningrounduponitsaxis。TheScoliadoesnotinterfere。Holdingthevictimtightlygripped，sheturnswithit，allowsherselftobedraggedupwards，downwards，sidewards，followingitscontortions。HerobstinacyissuchthatIcannowremovethebell-glassandfollowthedetailsofthedramaintheopen。
Briefly，inspiteoftheturmoil，thetipoftheabdomenfeelsthattherightspothasbeenfound。Thenandonlythenthestingisunsheathed。Itplungesin。Thethingisdone。Thelarva，atfirstplumpandactive，suddenlybecomesflaccidandinert。Itisparalysed。Henceforththerearenomovementssaveoftheantennaeandthemouthparts，whichwillforalongtimeyetbearwitnesstoaremnantoflife。Thepointwoundedhasnevervariedintheseriesofcombatsunderglass:itoccupiesthemiddleofthelineofdemarcationbetweentheprothoraxandthemesothorax，ontheventralsurface。NotethattheCerceres，operatingonWeevils，whosenervoussystemisascompactastheCetonia-grub\'s，driveintheneedleatthesamespot。Similarityofnervousorganizationoccasionssimilarityofmethod。NotealsothattheScolia\'sstingremainsinthewoundforsometimeandrootsaboutwithmarkedpersistence。Judgingbythemovementsofthetipoftheabdomen，onewouldcertainlysaythattheweaponisexploringandselecting。Freetoshiftinonedirectionortheother，withinnarrowlimits，itspointismostprobablyseekingforthelittlemassofnerve-tissuewhichmustbepricked，oratleastsprinkledwithpoison，toobtainoverwhelmingparalysis。
Iwillnotclosethisreportoftheduelwithoutrelatingafewfurtherfacts，ofminorimportance。TheTwo-bandedScoliaisafiercepersecutoroftheCetonia。Inonesittingthesamemotherstabsthreelarvae，oneaftertheother，infrontofmyeyes。Sherefusesthefourth，perhapsowingtofatigueortoexhaustionofthepoison-bag。Herrefusalisonlytemporary。
Nextday，shebeginsagainandparalysestwogrubs；thedayafterthat，shedoesthesame，butwithazealthatdecreasesfromdaytoday。
TheotherHuntingWaspsthatpursuethechasefarafieldgrip，drag，carrytheirprey，afterdeprivingitofmovement，eachinherownfashionand，ladenwiththeirburden，makeprolongedattemptstoescapefromthebell-
glassandtogaintheburrow。Discouragedbythesefutileendeavours，theyabandonthematlast。TheScoliadoesnotremoveherquarry，whichliesonitsbackforanindefinitetimeontheactualspotofthesacrifice。Whenshehaswithdrawnherdaggerfromthewound，sheleaveshervictimwhereitliesand，withouttakingfurthernoticeofit，beginstoflutteragainstthesideoftheglass。Theparalysedcarcaseisnottransportedelsewhere，intoaspecialcellar；therewherethestrugglehasoccurreditreceives，uponitsextendedabdomen，theeggwhencetheconsumerofthesucculenttit-bitwillemerge，thussavingtheexpenseofsettinguphouse。Itgoeswithoutsayingthatunderthebell-glassthelayingdoesnottakeplace:
themotheristoocautioustoabandonhereggtotheperilsoftheopenair。
Whythen，recognizingtheabsenceofherundergroundburrow，doestheScoliauselesslypursuetheCetoniawiththefranticardourofthePhilanthusflingingherselfupontheBee？TheactionofthePhilanthusisexplainedbyherpassionforhoney；hencethemurderscommittedinexcessoftheneedsofherfamily。TheScolialeavesusperplexed:shetakesnothingfromtheCetonia-grub，whichisleftwithoutanegg；shestabs，thoughwellawareoftheuselessnessofheraction:theheapofmouldislackinganditisnothercustomtotransportherprey。Theotherprisoners，oncetheblowisstruck，atleastseektoescapewiththeircapturebetweentheirlegs；theScoliaattemptsnothing。
Afterduereflection，Ilumptogetherinmysuspicionsallthesesurgeonsandaskmyselfwhethertheypossesstheslightestforesight，wheretheeggisconcerned。When，exhaustedbytheirburden，theyrecognizetheimpossibilityofescape，themoreexpertamongthemoughtnottobeginalloveragain；yettheydosobeginafewminuteslater。Thesewonderfulanatomistsknowabsolutelynothingaboutanything，theydonotevenknowwhattheirvictimsaregoodfor。Admirableartistsinkillingandparalysis，theykillorparalyseateveryfavourableopportunity，nomatterwhatthefinalresultasregardstheegg。Theirtalent，whichleavesoursciencespeechless，hasnotashadowofconsciousnessofthetaskaccomplished。
Aseconddetailstrikesme:thedesperatepersistenceoftheScolia。Ihaveseenthestrugglecontinueformorethanaquarterofanhour，withfrequentalternationsofgoodluckandbad，beforetheWaspachievedtherequiredpositionandreachedwiththeendofherabdomenthespotwherethestingshouldpenetrate。Duringtheseassaults，whichwereresumedassoonastheywererepulsed，theaggressorrepeatedlyappliedthetipofherbellytothelarva，butwithoutunsheathing，asIcouldseebytheabsenceofthestartwhichthelarvagiveswhenitfeelsthepainofthesting。TheScoliathereforedoesnotpricktheCetoniaanywhereuntiltheweaponcoverstherequisitespot。Ifnowoundsareinflictedelsewhere，thisisnotinanywayduetothestructureofthelarva，whichissoftandvulnerableallover，exceptinthehead。Thepointsoughtbythestingisnomoreunprotectedthananyotherpartoftheskin。
Inthescuffle，theScolia，curvedintoabow，issometimesseizedbythevice-likegripoftheCetonia-grub，whichisviolentlycoilinganduncoiling。Heedlessofthepowerfulgrip，theWaspdoesnotletgoforamoment，eitherwithhermandiblesorwiththetipofherabdomen。Atsuchtimesthetwocreatures，lockedinamutualembrace，turnoverandoverinamadwhirl，eachofthemnowontop，nowunderneath。Whenitcontrivestoriditselfofitsenemy，thelarvauncoilsagain，stretchesitselfoutandproceedstomakeoffuponitsbackwithallpossiblespeed。Itsdefensiverusesareexhausted。Formerly，beforeIhadseenthingsformyself，takingprobabilityasmyguideIwillinglygrantedtothelarvathetrickoftheHedgehog，whorollshimselfintoaballandsetstheDogatdefiance。
Coileduponitself，withanenergywhichmyfingershavesomedifficultyinovercoming，thelarva，Ithought，woulddefytheScolia，powerlesstounrollitanddisdaininganypointbuttheoneselected。Ihopedandbelievedthatitpossessedthismeansofdefence，ameansbothefficaciousandextremelysimple。Ihadpresumedtoomuchuponitsingenuity。InsteadofimitatingtheHedgehogandremainingcontracted，itflees，bellyinair；
itfoolishlyadoptstheveryposturewhichallowstheScoliatomounttotheassaultandtoreachthespotforthefatalstroke。ThesillybeastremindsmeofthegiddyBeewhocomesandflingsherselfintotheclutchesofthePhilanthus。Yetanotherwhohaslearntnolessonfromthestruggleforlife。
Letusproceedtofurtherexamples。IhavejustcapturedanInterruptedScolia(Colpainterrupta，LATR。)，exploringthesand，doubtlessinsearchofgame。Itisamatterofmakingtheearliestpossibleuseofher，beforeherspiritischilledbythetediumofcaptivity。Iknowherprey，thelarvaofAnoxiaaustralis(TheAnoxiaareagenusofBeetlesakintotheCockchafers——Translator\'sNote。)；Iknow，frommypastexcavations，thepointsfavouredbythegrub:themoundsofsandheapedupbythewindatthefootoftherosemariesontheneighbouringhill-sides。Itwillbeahardjobtofindit，fornothingisrarerthanthecommonifonewantsitthenandthere。Iappealforassistancetomyfather，anoldmanofninety，stillstraightasacapitalI。Underasunhotenoughtobroilanegg，wesetoff，shoulderinganavvy\'sshovelandathree-prongedluchet。(ThelocalpitchforkofsouthernFrance——Translator\'sNote。)Employingourfeebleenergiesinturns，wedigatrenchinthesandwhereIhopetofindtheAnoxia。Myhopesarenotdisappointed。Afterhavingbythesweatofourbrow——neverwastheexpressionmorejustified——removedandsiftedtwocubicyardsatleastofsandysoilwithourfingers，wefindourselvesinpossessionoftwolarvae。IfIhadnotwantedany，Ishouldhaveturnedthemupbythehandful。Butmypoorandcostlyharvestissufficientforthemoment。To-morrowIwillsendmorevigorousarmstocontinuetheworkofexcavation。
