第6章

Andnowletusrewardourselvesforourtroublebystudyingthetragedyinthebell-glass。Clumsy，awkwardinhermovements，theScoliaslowlygoestheroundofthecircus。Atthesightofthegame，herattentionisaroused。ThestruggleisannouncedbythesamepreparationsasthosedisplayedbytheTwo-bandedScolia:theWasppolishesherwingsandtapsthetablewiththetipsofherantennae。Andview，halloo！Theattackbegins。Unabletomoveonaflatsurface，becauseofitsshortandfeeblelegs，deprivedmoreoveroftheCetonia-larva"seccentricmeansoftravellingonitsback，theportlygrubhasnothoughtoffleeing；itcoilsitselfup。TheScolia，withherpowerfulpincers，gripsitsskinnowhere，nowelsewhere。Curvedintoacirclewiththetwoendsalmosttouching，shestrivestothrustthetipofherabdomenintothenarrowopeninginthecoilformedbythelarva。Thecontestisconductedcalmly，withoutviolentboutsateachvaryingaccident。Itisthedeterminedattemptofalivingsplitringtryingtosliponeofitsendsintoanotherlivingsplitring，whichwithequaldeterminationrefusestoopen。TheScoliaholdsthevictimsubduedwithherlegsandmandibles；shetriesoneside，thentheother，withoutmanagingtounrollthecircle，whichcontractsstillmoreasitfeelsitsdangerincreasing。Theactualcircumstancesmaketheoperationmoredifficult:thepreyslipsandrollsaboutthetablewhentheinsecthandlesittooviolently；therearenopointsofpurchaseandthestingcannotreachthedesiredspot；thefruitlesseffortsarecontinuedformorethananhour，interruptedbyperiodsofrest，duringwhichthetwoadversariesrepresenttwonarrow，interlockedrings。

WhatoughtthepowerfulCetonia-grubtodotodefytheTwo-bandedScolia，whoisfarlessvigorousthanhervictim？ItshouldimitatetheAnoxia-

larvaandremainrolleduplikeaHedgehoguntiltheenemyretires。Ittriestoescape，unrollsitselfandislost。Theotherdoesnotstirfromitspostureofdefenceandresistssuccessfully。Isthisduetoacquiredcaution？No，buttotheimpossibilityofdoingotherwiseontheslipperysurfaceofatable。Clumsy，obese，weakinthelegs，curvedintoahooklikethecommonWhiteWorm(ThelarvaoftheCockchafer——Translator"sNote。)，theAnoxia-larvaisunabletomovealongasmoothsurface；itwritheslaboriously，lyingonitsside。Itneedstheshiftingsoilinwhich，usingitsmandiblesasaplough-share，itdigsintothegroundandburiesitself。

Letustryifsandwillshortenthestruggle，forIseenoendtoityet，aftermorethananhourofwaiting。Ilightlypowderthearena。Theattackisresumedwithavengeance。Thelarva，feelingthesand，itsnativeelement，triestoescape。Imprudentcreature！DidInotsaythatitsobstinacyinremainingrolledupwasduetonoacquiredprudencebuttothenecessityofthemoment？Thesadexperienceofpastadversitieshasnotyettaughtitthepreciousadvantagewhichitmightderivefromkeepingitscoilsclosedsolongasdangerremains。Forthatmatter，ontheunyieldingsupportofmytable，theyarenotoneandallsocautious。Thelargerseemeventohaveforgottenwhattheyknewsowellintheiryouth:thedefensiveartofcoilingthemselvesup。

Icontinuemystorywithafine-sizedspecimen，lesslikelytoslipundertheScolia"sonslaught。Whenattacked，thelarvadoesnotcurlup，doesnotshrinkintoaringasdidthelast，whichwasyoungerandonlyhalfaslarge。Itstrugglesawkwardly，lyingonitsside，half-open。Foralldefenceittwistsabout；itopens，closesandreopensthegreathooksofitsmandibles。TheScoliagrabsitatrandom，claspsitinhershaggylegsandfornearlyaquarterofanhourbattleswiththeluscioustit-bit。Atlast，afteranotverytumultuousstruggle，whenthefavourablepositionisattainedandthepropitiousmomenthascome，thestingisimplantedinthecreature"sthorax，inacentralpoint，belowthethroat，levelwiththefore-legs。Theeffectisinstantaneous:totalinertia，exceptoftheappendagesofthehead，theantennaeandmouth-parts。Iachievedthesameresults，thesameprickatadefinite，invariablepoint，withmyseveraloperators，renewedfromtimetotimebysomeluckycastofthenet。

Letusmention，inconclusion，thattheattackoftheInterruptedScoliaisfarlessfiercethanthatoftheTwo-bandedScolia。TheWasp，aroughsand-

digger，hasaclumsygait；hermovementsarestiffandalmostautomatic。

Shedoesnotfinditeasytorepeatherdagger-thrust。MostofthespecimenswithwhichIexperimentedrefusedasecondvictimonthefirsttwodaysaftertheirexploits。Asthoughsomnolent，theydidnotstirunlessexcitedbymyteasingthemwithabitofstraw。Althoughmoreactiveandmoreardentinthechase，theTwo-bandedScolialikewisedoesnotdrawherweaponeverytimethatIinviteher。Forallthesehuntressestherearemomentsofinactionwhichthepresenceofafreshpreyispowerlesstodisturb。

TheScoliaehavetaughtmenothingfurther，intheabsenceofsubjectsbelongingtootherspecies。Nomatter:theresultsobtainedrepresentnosmalltriumphformyideas。BeforeseeingtheScoliaeoperate，Isaid，guidedsolelybytheanatomyofthevictims，thattheCetonia-，Anoxia-andOryctes-larvaemustbeparalysedbyasinglethrustofthelancet；Ievennamedthepointwherethestingmuststrike，acentralpoint，intheimmediatevicinityofthefore-legs。Ofthethreegeneraofparalysers，twohaveallowedmetowitnesstheirsurgicalmethods，whichthethird，Ifeelcertain，willconfirm。Inbothcases，asinglethrustofthelancet；inbothcases，injectionofthevenomatapredeterminedpoint。Acalculatorinanobservatorycouldnotcomputethepositionofhisplanetwithgreateraccuracy。Anideamaybetakenasprovedwhenitattainstothismathematicalforecastofthefuture，thiscertainknowledgeoftheunknown。

Whenwilltheacclaimersofchanceachievealikesuccess？Orderappealstoorder；andchanceknowsnolaws。

CHAPTER13。THEMETHODOFTHECALICURGI。

Thenon-armouredvictims，vulnerablebythestingoveralmosttheirwholebody，ordinarycaterpillarsandLoopercaterpillars，Cetonia-andAnoxia-

larvae，whoseonlymeansofdefence，apartfromtheirmandibles，consistsofrollingsandcontortions，calledforthetestimonyofanothervictim，theSpider，almostasill-protected，butarmedwithformidablepoison-

fangs。How，inparticular，willtheRingedCalicurgussettoworkinoperatingontheBlack-belliedTarantula，theterribleLycosa，whowithasinglebitekillstheMoleortheSparrowandendangersthelifeofman？

HowdoestheboldPompilusovercomeanadversarymorepowerfulthanherself，better-equippedwithvirulentpoisonandcapableofmakingamealofherassailant？OfalltheHuntingWasps，noneriskssuchunequalconflicts，inwhichappearanceswouldproclaimtheaggressortobethevictimandthevictimtheaggressor。

Theproblemwasonedeservingpatientstudy。True，Iforesaw，fromtheSpider"sorganization，asinglestinginthecentreofthethorax；butthatdidnotexplainthevictoryoftheWasp，emergingsafeandsoundfromhertusslewithsuchaquarry。Ihadtoseewhatoccurred。ThechiefdifficultywasthescarcityoftheCalicurgus。ItiseasyformetoobtaintheTarantulaatthedesiredmoment:thepartoftheplateauinmyneighbourhoodleftuntilledbythevine-growersprovidesmewithasmanyasarenecessary。TocapturethePompilusisanothermatter。Ihavesolittlehopeoffindingherthatspecialquestsareregardedasuseless。Tosearchforherwouldperhapsbejustthewaynottofindher。Letusrelyontheuncertaintiesofchance。ShallIgetherorshallInot？

I"vegother。Icatchherunexpectedlyontheflowers。NextdayIsupplymyselfwithhalfadozenTarantulae。PerhapsIshallbeabletoemploythemoneaftertheotherinrepeatedduels。AsIreturnfrommyLycosa-hunt，lucksmilesuponmeagainandcrownsmydesires。AsecondCalicurgusoffersherselftomynet；sheisdraggingherheavy，paralysedSpiderbyoneleg，inthedustofthehighway。Iattachgreatvaluetomyfind:thelayingoftheegghasbecomeapressingmatter；andthemother，Ibelieve，willacceptasubstituteforhervictimwithoutmuchhesitation。Herethenaremytwocaptives，eachunderherbell-glasswithherTarantula。

Iamalleyes。Whatatragedytherewillbeinamoment！Iwait，anxiously……But……but……whatisthis？Whichofthetwoistheassailed？

Whichistheassailant？Thecharactersseemtobeinverted。TheCalicurgus，unabletoclimbupthesmoothglasswall，stridesroundtheringofthecircus。Withaproudandrapidgait，herwingsandantennaevibrating，shegoesandreturns。TheLycosaissoonseen。TheCalicurgusapproachesherwithouttheleastsignoffear，walksroundherandappearstohavetheintentionofseizingoneofherlegs。ButatthatmomenttheTarantularisesalmostverticallyonherfourhinderlegs，withherfourfrontlegsliftedandoutspread，readyforthecounterstroke。Thepoison-fangsgapewidely；adropofvenommoistenstheirtips。Theverysightofthemmakesmyfleshcreep。Inthisterribleattitude，presentingherpowerfulthoraxandtheblackvelvetofherbellytotheenemy，theSpideroverawesthePompilus，whosuddenlyturnstailandmovesaway。TheLycosathenclosesherbundleofpoisoneddaggersandresumeshernaturalpose，standingonhereightlegs；but，attheslightestattemptataggressionontheWasp"spart，sheresumesherthreateningposition。

Shedoesmore:suddenlysheleapsandflingsherselfupontheCalicurgus；

swiftlysheclaspsherandnibblesatherwithherfangs。Withoutwieldingherstinginself-defence，theotherdisengagesherselfandmergesunscathedfromtheangryencounter。SeveraltimesinsuccessionIwitnesstheattack；andnothingseriouseverbefallstheWasp，whoswiftlywithdrawsfromthefrayandappearstohavereceivednohurt。Sheresumeshermarchingandcountermarchingnolessboldlyandswiftlythanbefore。

IsthisWaspinvulnerable，thatshethusescapesfromtheterriblefangs？

Evidentlynot。Arealbitewouldbefataltoher。Big，sturdilybuiltAcridianssuccumb(LocustsandGrasshoppers——Translator"sNote。)；howisitthatshe，withherdelicateorganism，doesnot！TheSpider"sdaggers，therefore，makenomorethananidlefeint；theirpointsdonotenterthefleshofthetight-claspedWasp。Ifthestrokeswerereal，Ishouldseebleedingwounds，Ishouldseethefangscloseforamomentonthepartseized；andwithallmyattentionIcannotdetectanythingofthekind。

ThenarethefangspowerlesstopiercetheWasp"sinteguments？Notso。I

haveseenthempenetrate，withacracklingofbrokenarmour，thecorseletoftheAcridians，whichoffersafargreaterresistance。Onceagain，whencecomesthisstrangeimmunityoftheCalicurgusheldbetweenthelegsandassailedbythedaggersoftheTarantula？Idonotknow。Thoughinmortalperilfromtheenemyconfrontingher，theLycosathreatensherwithherfangsandcannotdecidetobite，owingtoarepugnancewhichIdonotundertaketoexplain。

Obtainingnothingmorethanalarumsandexcursionsofnogreatseriousness，Ithinkofmodifyingthegladiatorialarenaandapproximatingittonaturalconditions。Thesoilisveryimperfectlyrepresentedbymywork-table；andtheSpiderhasnotherfortress，herburrow，whichplaysapartofsomeimportancebothinattackandindefence。Ashortlengthofreedisplantedperpendicularlyinalargeearthenwarepanfilledwithsand。ThiswillbetheLycosa"sburrow。InthemiddleIsticksomeheadsofglobe-thistlegarnishedwithhoneyasarefectoryforthePompilus；acoupleofLocusts，renewedasandwhenconsumed，willsustaintheTarantula。Thesecomfortablequarters，exposedtothesun，receivethetwocaptivesunderawire-gauzedome，whichprovidesadequateventilationforaprolongedresidence。

Myartificescometonothing；thesessioncloseswithoutresult。Adaypasses，twodays，three；stillnothinghappens。ThePompilusisassiduousinhervisitstothehoneyedflower-clusters；whenshehaseatenherfill，sheclambersupthedomeandmakesinterminablecircuitsofthenetting；

theTarantulaquietlymunchesherLocust。Iftheotherpasseswithinreach，sheswiftlyraisesherselfandwavesheroff。Theartificialburrow，thereed-stump，fulfillsitspurposeexcellently。TheLycosaandthePompilusresorttoitinturns，butwithoutquarrelling。Andthatisall。Thedramawhoseprologuewassofullofpromiseappearstobeindefinitelypostponed。

Ihavealastresource，onwhichIbasegreathopes:itistoremovemytwoCalicurgitotheverysiteoftheirinvestigationsandtoinstallthematthedooroftheSpider"slodging，atthetopofthenaturalburrow。ItakethefieldwithanequipmentwhichIamcarryingacrossthecountryforthefirsttime:aglassbell-jar，awire-gauzecoverandthevariousimplementsneededforhandlingandtransferringmyirascibleanddangeroussubjects。

Mysearchforburrowsamongthepebblesandthetuftsofthymeandlavenderissoonsuccessful。

Hereisasplendidone。IlearnbyinsertingastrawthatitisinhabitedbyaTarantulaofasizesuitedtomyplans。Thesoilaroundtheapertureisclearedandflattenedtoreceivethewire-gauze，underwhichIplaceaPompilus。Thisisthetimetolightapipeandwait，lyingonthepebbles……Yetanotherdisappointment。Halfanhourgoesby；andtheWaspconfinesherselftotravellingroundandroundthenettingasshedidinmystudy。Shegivesnosignofgreedwhenconfrontedwiththeburrow，thoughI

canseetheTarantula"sdiamondeyesglitteringatthebottom。

Thetrellisedwallisreplacedbytheglasswall，which，sinceitdoesnotallowhertoscaleitsheights，willobligetheWasptoremainonthegroundandatlasttotakecognizanceoftheshaft，whichsheseemstoignore。Thistimewehavedonethetrick！

Afterafewcircuitsofhercage，theCalicurgusnoticesthepityawningatherfeet。Shegoesdownit。Thisdaringconfoundsme。Ishouldneverhaveventuredtoanticipateasmuch。ThatsheshouldsuddenlyflingherselfupontheTarantulawhenthelatterisoutsideherstronghold，wellandgood；buttorushintothelair，whentheterriblemonsteriswaitingforyoubelowwiththosetwopoisoneddaggersofhers！Whatwillcomeofsuchtemerity？A

buzzingofwingsascendsfromthedepths。Runtoearthinherprivateapartments，theLycosaisnodoubtatgripswiththeintruder。ThathumofwingsistheCalicurgus"paeanoftriumph，untilitbeherdeath-song。Theslayermaywellbetheslain。Whichofthetwowillcomeupalive？

ItistheLycosa，whohurriedlyscampersoutandpostsherselfjustovertheorificeoftheburrow，inherpostureofdefence，herfangsopen，herfourfrontlegsuplifted。Cantheotherhavebeenstabbed？Notatall，forsheemergesinherturn，notwithoutreceivingonthewayacufffromtheSpider，whoimmediatelyregainsherlair。Dislodgedfromherbasementasecondandyetathirdtime，theTarantulaalwayscomesupunwounded；shealwaysawaitsheradversaryonherthreshold，administerspunishmentandreentersherdwelling。InvaindoItrymytwoPompilialternatelyandchangetheburrow；Idonotsucceedinobservinganythingelse。Certainconditionsnotrealizedbymystratagemsarelackingtocompletethetragedy。

Discouragedbytherepetitionofmyfutileattempts，Ithrowupthegame，thericherhoweverbyonefactofsomevalue:theCalicurgus，withouttheleastfear，descendsintotheTarantula"sdenanddislodgesher。Iimaginethatthingshappeninthesamefashionoutsidemycages。Whenexpelledfromherdwelling，theSpiderismoretimidandmorevulnerabletoattack。

Moreover，whilehamperedbyanarrowshaft，theoperatorwouldnotwieldherlancetwiththeprecisioncalledforbyherdesigns。Theboldirruptionshowsusonceagain，moreplainlythanthetusslesonmytable，theLycosa"sreluctancetosinkherfangsintoherenemy"sbody。Whenthetwoarefacetofaceatthebottomofthelair，thenorneveristhemomenttohaveitoutwiththefoe。TheTarantulaisinherownhouse，withallitsconveniences；everynookandcornerofthebastionisfamiliartoher。Theintruder"smovementsarehamperedbyherignoranceofthepremises。Quick，mypoorLycosa，quick，abite；andit"sallupwithyourpersecutor！Butyourefrain，Iknownotwhy，andyourreluctanceisthesavingoftherashinvader。ThesillySheepdoesnotreplytothebutcher"sknifebychargingwithloweredhorns。CanitbethatyouarethePompilus"Sheep？

Mytwosubjectsarereinstalledinmystudyundertheirwire-gauzecovers，withbedofsand，reed-stumpburrowandfreshhoney，complete。HeretheyfindagaintheirfirstLycosae，feduponLocusts。Cohabitationcontinuesforthreeweekswithoutotherincidentsthanscufflesandthreatswhichbecomelessfrequentdaybyday。Noserioushostilityisdisplayedoneitherside。AtlasttheCalicurgidie:theirdayisover。Apitifulendaftersuchanenthusiasticbeginning。

ShallIabandontheproblem？Why，notabitofit！Ihaveencounteredgreaterdifficulties，buttheyhaveneverdeterredmefromawarmly-

cherishedproject。Fortunefavoursthepersevering。Sheprovesasmuchbyofferingme，inSeptember，afortnightafterthedeathofmyTarantula-

huntresses，anotherCalicurgus，capturedforthefirsttime。ThisistheHarlequinCalicurgus(C。scurra，LEP。)，whosportsthesamegaudycostumeasthefirstandisalmostofthesamesize。

Nowwhatdoesthisnewcomer，ofwhomIknownothing，want？ASpider，thatiscertain；butwhich？Ahuntresslikethiswillneedacorpulentquarry:

perhapstheSilkyEpeira(E。serica)，perhapstheBandedEpeira(E。

fasciata)，thelargestSpidersinthedistrict，nexttotheTarantula。Thefirstofthesespreadsherlargeuprightnet，inwhichLocustsarecaught，fromoneclumpofbrushwoodtoanother。Ifindherinthecopsesontheneighbouringhills。ThesecondstretcheshersacrosstheditchesandthelittlestreamsfrequentedbytheDragon-flies。IfindherneartheAygues，besidetheirrigation-canalsfedbythetorrent。AcoupleoftripsprocuresmethetwoEpeirae，whomIoffertomycaptivenextday，bothatthesametime。Itisforhertochooseaccordingtohertaste。

Thechoiceissoonmade:theBandedEpeiraistheonepreferred。Butshedoesnotyieldwithoutprotest。OntheapproachoftheWasp，sherisesandassumesadefensiveattitude，justlikethatoftheLycosa。TheCalicurguspaysnoattentiontothreats:underherharlequin"scoat，sheisviolentinattackandquickonherlegs。Thereisarapidexchangeoffisticuffs；andtheEpeiraliesoverturnedonherback。ThePompilusisontopofher，bellytobelly，headtohead；withherlegsshemasterstheSpider"slegs；

withhermandiblesshegripsthecephalothorax。Shecurvesherabdomen，bringingthetipofitbeneathher；shedrawsherstingand……

Onemoment，reader，ifyouplease。Whereisthestingabouttostrike？Fromwhatwehavelearntfromtheotherparalysers，itwillbedrivenintothebreast，tosuppressthemovementofthelegs。Thatisyouropinion；itwasalsomine。Well，withoutblushingtoodeeplyatourcommonandveryexcusableerror，letusconfessthattheinsectknowsbetterthanwedo。ItknowshowtoassuresuccessbyapreparatorymanoeuvreofwhichyouandI

hadneverdreamt。Ah，whataschoolisthatoftheanimals！Isitnottruethat，beforestrikingtheadversary，youshouldtakecarenottogetwoundedyourself？TheHarlequinPompilusdoesnotdisregardthiscounselofprudence。TheEpeiracarriesbeneathherthroattwosharpdaggers，withadropofpoisonattheirpoints；theCalicurgusislostiftheSpiderbitesher。Nevertheless，heranaesthetizingdemandsperfectsteadinessofthelancet。Whatistobedoneinthefaceofthisdangerwhichmightdisconcertthemostpractisedsurgeon？Thepatientmustfirstbedisarmedandthenoperatedon。

AndinfacttheCalicurgus"sting，aimedfrombacktofront，isdrivenintotheEpeira"smouth，withminuteprecautionsandmarkedpersistency。Ontheinstant，thepoison-fangscloselifelesslyandtheformidablequarryispowerlesstoharm。TheWasp"sabdomenthenextendsitsarcanddrivestheneedlebehindthefourthpairoflegs，onthemedianline，almostatthejunctionofthebellyandthecephalothorax。Atthispointtheskinisfinerandmoreeasilypenetrablethanelsewhere。Theremainderofthethoracicsurfaceiscoveredwithatoughbreast-platewhichthestingwouldperhapsfailtoperforate。Thenerve-centres，thesourceoftheleg-

movements，aresituatedalittleabovethewoundedpoint，buttheback-to-

frontdirectionofthestingmakesitpossibletoreachthem。Thislastwoundresultsintheparalysisofalltheeightlegsatonce。

Toenlargeuponitfurtherwoulddetractfromtheeloquenceofthisperformance。Firstofall，tosafeguardtheoperator，astabinthemouth，thatpointsoterriblyarmed，themostformidableofall；then，tosafeguardthelarva，asecondstabinthenerve-centresofthethorax，tosuppressthepowerofmovement。IcertainlysuspectedthattheslayersofrobustSpiderswereendowedwithspecialtalents；butIwasfarfromexpectingtheirboldlogic，whichdisarmsbeforeitparalyses。SotheTarantula-huntressmustbehave，who，undermybell-glasses，refusedtosurrenderhersecret。Inowknowwhathermethodis；ithasbeendivulgedbyacolleague。ShethrowstheterribleLycosauponherback，pricksherprickersbystingingherinthemouthandthen，incomfort，withasinglethrustofthelancet，obtainsparalysisofthelegs。

IexaminetheEpeiraimmediatelyaftertheoperationandtheTarantulawhentheCalicurgusisdraggingherbyonelegtoherburrow，atthefootofsomewall。Foralittlewhilelonger，aminuteatmost，theEpeiraconvulsivelymovesherlegs。Solongasthesethroescontinue，thePompilusdoesnotreleaseherprey。Sheseemstowatchtheprogressoftheparalysis。WiththetipsofhermandiblessheexplorestheSpider"smouthseveraltimesover，asthoughtoascertainifthepoison-fangsarereallyinnocuous。Whenallmovementsubsides，thePompilusmakesreadytodragherpreyelsewhere。ItisthenItakechargeofit。

Whatstrikesmemorethananythingelseistheabsoluteinertiaofthefangs，whichIticklewithastrawwithoutsucceedinginrousingthemfromtheirtorpor。Thepalpi，ontheotherhand，theirimmediateneighbours，waveattheleasttouch。TheEpeiraisplacedinsafety，inaflask，andundergoesafreshexaminationaweeklater。Irritabilityhasinpartreturned。Underthestimulusofastraw，Iseeherlegsmovealittle，especiallythelowerjoints，thetibiaeandtarsi。Thepalpiareevenmoreirritableandmobile。Thesedifferentmovements，however，arelackinginvigourandcoordination；andtheSpidercannotemploythemtoturnover，muchlesstoescape。Asforthepoison-fangs，Istimulatetheminvain:I

cannotgetthemtoopenoreventostir。Theyarethereforeprofoundlyparalysedandinaspecialmanner。Thepeculiarinsistenceofthestingwhenthemouthwasstabbedtoldmeasmuchinthebeginning。

AttheendofSeptember，almostamonthaftertheoperation，theEpeiraisinthesamecondition，neitherdeadnoralive:thepalpistillquiverwhentouchedwithastraw，butnothingelsemoves。Atlength，aftersixorsevenweeks"lethargy，realdeathsupervenes，togetherwithitscomrade，putrefaction。

TheTarantulaoftheRingedCalicurgus，asItakeherfromtheowneratthemomentoftransportation，presentsthesamepeculiarities。Thepoison-fangsarenolongerirritablewhentickledwithmystraw:afreshproof，addedtothoseofanalogy，toshowthattheLycosa，liketheEpeira，hasbeenstunginthemouth。Thepalpi，ontheotherhand，areandwillbeforweekshighlyirritableandmobile。Iwishtoemphasisethispoint，theimportanceofwhichwillberecognizedpresently。

IfounditimpossibletoprovokeasecondattackfrommyHarlequinCalicurgus:thetediumofcaptivitydidnotfavourtheexerciseofhertalents。Moreover，theEpeirasometimeshadsomethingtodowithherrefusals；acertainrusedeguerrewhichwastwiceemployedbeforemyeyesmaywellhavebaffledtheaggressor。Letmedescribetheincident，ifonlytoincreaseourrespectalittleforthesefoolishSpiders，whoareprovidedwithperfectedweaponsanddonotdaretomakeuseofthemagainsttheweakerbutbolderassailant。

TheEpeiraoccupiesthewallofthewire-gauzecage，withhereightlegswide-spreaduponthetrelliswork；theCalicurgusiswheelingroundthetopofthedome。Seizedwithpanicatthesightoftheapproachingenemy，theSpiderdropstotheground，withherbellyupwardsandherlegsgatheredtogether。Theotherdashesforward，claspsherroundthebody，exploresherandpreparestostingherinthemouth。Butshedoesnotbareherweapon。I

seeherbendingattentivelyoverthepoisonedfangs，asthoughtoinvestigatetheirterriblemechanism；shethengoesaway。TheSpiderisstillmotionless，somuchsothatIreallybelieveherdead，paralysedunknowntome，atamomentwhenIwasnotlooking。Itakeherfromthecagetoexaminehercomfortably。Nosoonerissheplacedonthetablethanbehold，shecomestolifeagainandpromptlyscampersoff！ThecunningcreaturewasshammingdeathbeneaththeWasp"sstiletto，soartfullythatI

wastakenin。Shedeceivedanenemymorecunningthanmyself，thePompilus，whoinspectedherverycloselyandtookherforacorpseunworthyofherdagger。Perhapsthesimplecreature，liketheBearinthefableofold，alreadynoticedthesmellofhighmeat。

Thisruse，ifruseitbe，appearstomemoreoftenthannottoturntothedisadvantageoftheSpider，whetherTarantula，Epeiraoranother。TheCalicurguswhohasjustputtheSpideronherbackafterabriskfightknowsquitewellthatherprostratefoeisnotdead。Thelatter，thinkingtoprotectitself，simulatestheinertiaofacorpse；theassailantprofitsbythistodeliverhermostperilousblow，thestabinthemouth。Werethefangs，eachtippedwithitsdropofpoison，toopenthen；weretheytosnap，togiveadesperatebite，thePompiluswouldnotdaretoexposethetipofherabdomentotheirdeadlyscratch。Theshammingofdeathisexactlywhatenablesthehuntresstosucceedinherdangerousoperation。

Theysay，OguilelessEpeirae，thatthestruggleforlifehastaughtyoutoadoptthisinertattitudeforpurposesofdefence。Well，thestruggleforlifewasaverybadcounsellor。Trustrathertocommonsenseandlearn，bydegrees，atyourowncost，thattohitback，aboveallifyoucandosopromptly，isstillthebestwaytointimidatetheenemy。(Fabredoesnotbelieveintheactualshammingofdeathbyanimals。Cf。“TheGlow-wormandOtherBeetles，“byJ。HenriFabre，translatedbyAlexanderTeixeiradeMattos:chapters8to15——Translator"sNote。)

Theremainderofmyobservationsontheseinsectsunderglassislittlemorethanalongseriesoffailures。OftwooperatorsonWeevils，one，theSandyCerceris(C。arenaria)，persistentlyscornedthevictimsoffered；theother，Ferrero"sCerceris(C。Ferreri)，allowedherselftobeemptedaftertwodays"captivity。Hertacticalmethod，asIexpected，ispreciselythatoftheCleonus-huntress，theGreatCerceris，withwhommyinvestigationscommenced。WhenconfrontedwiththeAcorn-weevil，sheseizestheinsectbythesnout，whichisimmenselylongandshapedlikeapipe-stem，andplantsherstinginitsbodytotherearoftheprothorax，betweenthefirstandsecondpairoflegs。Itisneedlesstoinsist:thespoileroftheCleonihastaughtusenoughaboutthismodeofoperationanditsresults。

NoneoftheBembex-wasps，whetherchosenamongthehuntressesoftheGadflyoramongtheloversoftheHouse-flyrabble，satisfiedmyaspirations。

TheirmethodisasunknowntomenowasatthedistantperiodwhenIusedtowatchitintheBoisdesIssards。(Cf。“TheHuntingWasps“:chapters14

to18——Translator"sNote。)Theirimpetuousflight，theirloveoflongjourneysareincompatiblewithcaptivity。Stunnedbycollidingwiththewallsoftheirglassorwire-gauzeprison，theyallperishwithintwenty-

fourhours。Swifterintheirmovementsandapparentlysatisfiedwiththeirhoneyedthistle-heads，theSpheges，huntressesofCricketsorEphippigers，dieasquicklyofnostalgia。AllIofferthemleavesthemindifferent。

NorcanIgetanythingoutoftheEumenes，notablythebiggestofthem，thebuilderofgravelcupolas，Amedeus"Eumenes。AllthePompili，excepttheHarlequinCalicurgus，refusemySpiders。ThePalarus，whopreysuponanindefinitenumberoftheHymenopteronclan，refusestotellmeifshedrinksthehoneyoftheBees，asdoesthePhilanthus，orifsheletstheothersgowithoutmanipulatingthemtomakethemdisgorge。TheTachytesdonotvouchsafetheirLocustsaglance；Stizusruficornispromptlygivesuptheghost，disdainingthePrayingMantiswhichIprovideforher。

Whatistheuseofcontinuingthislistofchecks？Therulemaybegatheredfromthesefewexamples:occasionalsuccessesandmanyfailures。Whatcanbethereason？WiththeexceptionofthePhilanthus，temptedfromtimetotimebyabumperofhoney，thepredatoryWaspsdonothuntontheirownaccount；theyhavetheirvictualling-time，whentheegg-layingisimminent，whenthefamilycallsforfood。Outsidetheseperiods，thefinestheadsofgamemightwellleavethesenectar-bibbersindifferent。Iamcarefultherefore，asfaraspossible，tocapturemysubjectsattheproperseason；

Igivepreferencetomotherscaughtuponthethresholdoftheburrowwiththeirpreybetweentheirlegs。Thisdiligenceofminebynomeansalwayssucceeds。Therearedemoralizedinsectswhich，onceunderglass，evenafterabriefdelay，nolongercareabouttheequivalentoftheirprize。

Allthespeciesdonotperhapspursuetheirgamewiththesameardour；moodandtemperamentaremorevariableeventhanconformation。Tothesefactors，whichareofthenicestorder，wemayaddthatofthehour，whichisoftenunfavourablewhenthesubjectiscaughtathaphazardontheflowers，andweshallhavemorethanenoughtoexplainthefrequencyofthefailures。Afterall，Imustbewareofrepresentingmyfailuresastherule:whatdoesnotsucceedonedaymayverywellsucceedanotherday，underdifferentconditions。Withperseveranceandalittleskill，anyonewhocarestocontinuetheseinterestingstudieswill，Iamsure，fillupmanygaps。Theproblemisdifficultbutnotimpossible。

Iwillnotquitmybell-jarswithoutsayingawordontheentomologicaltactofthecaptiveswhentheydecidetoattack。Oneofthepluckiestofmysubjects，theHairyAmmophila，wasnotalwaysprovidedwiththehereditarydishofherfamily，theGreyWorm。Iofferedherindiscriminatelyanybare-

skinnedcaterpillarsthatIchancedtofind。Somewereyellow，somegreen，somebrownwithwhiteedges。Allwereacceptedwithouthesitation，providedthattheywereofsuitablesize。Tastygamewasrecognizedwonderfullyunderverydissimilarliveries。ButayoungZeuzera-caterpillar，dugoutofthebranchesofalilac-tree，andasilkwormofsmalldimensionsweredefinitelyrefused。Theover-fedproductsofoursilkworm-nurseriesandthemystery-lovingcaterpillarwhichgnawstheinnerwoodofthelilacinspiredherwithsuspicionanddisgust，despitetheirbareskin，whichfavouredthesting，andtheirshape，whichwassimilartothatofthevictimsaccepted。

Anotherardenthuntress，theInterruptedScolia，refusedtheCetonia-grub，whichisoflikehabitswiththeAnoxia-larva；theTwo-bandedScoliaalsorefusedtheAnoxia。ThePhilanthus，theheadlongmurderessofBees，sawthroughmytrickerywhenIconfrontedherwiththeVirgilianBee，theEristalis(E。tenax)。She，aPhilanthus，takethisFlyforaBee！Whatnext！Thepopularideaismistaken；antiquitytooismistaken，aswitnessthe“Georgics，“whichmaketheputridremainsofasacrificedBullgivebirthtoaswarm；buttheWaspmakesnomistake。Inhereyes，whichseefartherthanours，theEristalisisanodiousDipteron，aloverofcorruption，andnothingmore。

CHAPTER14。OBJECTIONSANDREJOINDERS。

Noideaofanyscopecanbeginitssoaringflightbutstraightwaythecurmudgeonsareafterit，eagertobreakitswingsandtostampthewoundedthingunderfoot。MydiscoveryofthesurgicalmethodsthatgivetheHuntingWaspstheirpreservedfoodstuffshasundergonethecommonrule。Lettheoriesbediscussed，byallmeans:therealmoftheimaginationisanuntilleddomain，inwhicheveryoneisfreetoplanthisownconceptions。

Butrealitiesarenotopentodiscussion。Itisabadpolicytodenyfactswithnomoreauthoritythanone"swishtofindthemuntrue。NoonethatI

knowofhasimpugnedbycontraryobservationswhatIhavesolongbeensayingabouttheanatomicalinstinctoftheWaspsthathunttheirprey；

instead，Iammetwitharguments。Mercyonus！Firstuseyoureyesandthenyoushallhaveleavetoargue！And，topersuadepeopletousetheireyes，I

meantoreply，sincewehavetimetospare，totheobjectionswhichhavebeenormayberaised。Ofcourse，Ipassoverinsilencethoseinwhichchildishdisparagementshowsitsnosetooplainly。

Thesting，Iamtold，isdirectedatonepointratherthananotherbecausethatistheonlyvulnerablepoint。Theinsectcannotchoosewhatwounditwillinflict；itstingswhereitmust。Itswonderfuloperativemethodisthenecessaryresultofthevictim"sstructure。Letusfirst，ifweattachanyimportancetolucidity，cometoanunderstandingabouttheword“vulnerable。“Doyoumeanbythisthatthepointorratherpointswoundedbythestingaretheonlypointsatwhichalesionwillsuddenlycauseeitherdeathorparalysis？Ifso，Ishareyouropinion；notonlydoIshareit，butIwasthefirsttoproclaimit。Mywholethesisiscontainedinthat。Yes，ahundredtimesyes，thepointswoundedaretheonlyvulnerablepoints；theyareevenveryvulnerable；theyaretheonlypointswhichlendthemselvestotheinflictionofsuddendeathorelseparalysis，accordingtotheoperator"sintention。

Butthisisnothowyouunderstandthematter:youmeanaccessibletothesting，inaword，penetrable。Herewepartcompany。Ihaveagainstme，I

admit，theWeevilsandtheBuprestesoftheCerceres。Thesemailedoneshardlygivethestingachance，savebehindtheprothorax，thepointatwhichthelancetisactuallydirected。IfIwereonetostandontrifles，I

mightobservethatinfrontoftheprothorax，underthethroat，isanaccessiblespotandthattheCercereswillhavenothingtodowithit。Butletusproceed；Igiveupthehorn-cladBeetle。

WhatarewetosayoftheGreyWormandothercaterpillarsbelovedoftheAmmophilae？Herearevictimsaccessibletothestingunderneath，ontheback，onthesides，foreandaft，everywherewiththesamefacility，exceptingthetopofthehead。Andofthisinfinityofpoints，whichareequallypenetrable，theWaspselectsten，alwaysthesame，differinginnowayfromtherest，unlessitbebythecloseproximityofthenerve-

centres。WhatarewetosayoftheCetonia-andAnoxia-larvae，whicharealwaysattackedinthefirstthoracicsegment，afterlongandpainfulstruggles，whentheassailantcanstingthegrubfreelyatwhateverpointshechooses，sinceitisquitenakedandoffersnogreaterresistancetothelancetatonepointthanatanother？

WhatarewetothinkoftheSphex"CricketsandEphippigers，stabbedthreetimesonthesideofthethorax，whichisfairlywelldefended，whereastheabdomen，softandbulky，intowhichthestingwouldsinklikeaneedleintoapatofbutter，isneglected？DonotletusforgetthePhilanthus，whotakesnoaccounteitherofthefissuresbeneaththeabdominalplatesorofthewidehiatusbehindthecorselet，butplungesherweapon，atthebaseofthethroat，throughagapofafractionofamillimetre。LetusjustmentiontheMantis-huntingTachytes。Doesshemakeforthemostundefendedpointwhenshestabs，firstofall，atitsbase，theMantis"dreadfulengine——thearm-pieceseachfittedwithadoublesaw——attheriskofbeingseized，transfixedandcrunchedonthespotifshemissesherblow？Whydoesshenotstrikeatthecreature"slongabdomen？Thatwouldbequiteeasyandfreefromdanger。

AndtheCalicurgi，ifyouplease。Aretheyalsounskilledduelists，plungingthedirkintotheonlyeasilyaccessiblepoint，whentheirveryfirstmoveistoparalysethepoison-fangs？IfthereisonepointabouttheTarantulaandtheEpeirathatisdangerousanddifficulttoattack，itiscertainlythemouthwhichbiteswithitstwopoisonedharpoons。Andthesedesperadoesdaretobravethatdeadlytrap！Whydotheynotfollowyourjudiciousadvice？Theyshouldstingtheplumpbelly，whichiswhollyunprotected。Theydonot；andtheyhavetheirreasons，ashavetheothers。

All，fromthefirsttothelast，showus，clearaswaterfromtherock，thattheouterstructureofthevictimsoperatedoncountsfornothinginthemethodofoperating。Thisisdeterminedbytheinneranatomy。Thepointswoundedarenotstungbecausetheyaretheonlypointspenetrablebythelancet；theyarestungbecausetheyfulfilanimportantcondition，withoutwhichpenetrabilitylosesitsvalue。Thisconditionisnoneotherthantheimmediateproximityofthenerve-centreswhoseinfluencehastobesuppressed。Whenatclosequarterswithherprey，whethersoftorarmour-

clad，thehuntressbehavesasifsheunderstoodthenervoussystembetterthananyofus。Thethoughtlessobjectionabouttheonlypenetrablepointsis，Ihope，sweptasideforever。

Iamalsotold:

“Itispossible，ifitcomestothat，forthestingtobedeliveredintheneighbourhoodofthenerve-centres；inavictimatmostthreeorfourcentimetreslong，distancesareverysmall。Butacasualthereorthereaboutsisaverydifferentthingfromtheprecisionofwhichyouspeak。“

Oh，theyare“thereabouts，“arethey？Weshallsee！Youwantfigures，millimetres，fractions？Youshallhavethem！

FirstIcalltowitnesstheInterruptedScolia。Ifthereadernolongerhashermethodofoperatinginmind，Iwillbeghimtorefreshhismemory。Thetwoadversaries，inthepreliminaryconflict，maybefairlywellrepresentedbytworingsinterlockednotinthesameplanebutatrightangles。TheScoliagripsapointoftheAnoxia-grub"sthorax；shecurvesherbodyunderneathitand，whileencirclingthegrub，gropeswiththetipofherabdomenalongthemedianlineofthelarva"sneck。Owingtohertransversalposition，theassailantisnowfreetoaimherweaponinaslightlyslantingdirection，whethertowardstheheadortowardsthethorax，atthesamepointofentryinthelarva"sthroat。Betweenthetwooppositeslantsofthesting，whichisitselfveryshort，whatcanthedistancebe？Twomillimetres(。078inch——Translator"sNote。)，perhapsless。Thatisverylittle。Nomatter:lettheoperatormakeamistakeofthislength——negligible，youmaytellme——letthestingslanttowardstheheadinsteadofslantingtowardsthethorax；andtheresultoftheoperationwillbeentirelydifferent。Withaslanttowardsthehead，thecerebralgangliaarewoundedandtheirlesioncausessuddendeath。ThisisthestrokeofthePhilanthus，whokillsherBeebystingingherfrombelow，underthechin。TheScolianeededamotionlessbutnotdeadvictim，onethatwouldsupplyfreshvictuals；shewillnowhaveonlyacorpse，whichwillsoongobadandpoisonthelarva。

Withaslanttowardsthethorax，thestingwoundsthelittlemassofnerve-

cellsinthethorax。Thisistheregulationstroke，theonewhichwillinduceparalysisandleavethesmallamountoflifeneededtokeeptheprovisionsfresh。Amillimetrehigherkills；amillimetrelowerparalyses。

OnthistinydeviationthesalvationoftheScoliaracedepends。Youneednotfearthattheoperatorwillmakeanymistakeinthismicrometricalperformance:herstingalwaysslantstowardsthethorax，althoughtheoppositeinclinationisjustaspracticableandeasy。Whatwouldbetheoutcomeofathereorthereaboutsundertheseconditions？Veryoftenacorpse，aformoffoodfataltothegrub。

TheTwo-bandedScoliastingsalittlelowerdown，onthelineofdemarcationbetweenthefirsttwothoracicsegments。HerpositionislikewisetransversalinrelationtotheCetonia-grub；butthedistanceofthecervicalgangliafromthepointwherethestingenterswouldpossiblynotallowtheweaponturnedtowardstheheadtoinflictalesionfollowedbysuddendeathasintheaboveinstance。Iamcallingthiswitnesswithanotherobject。Itisextremelyunusualfortheoperator，nomatterwhatherpreyorhermethod，tomakeaslightmistakeandstingmerelysomewhereneartherequisitepoint。Iseethemallgropingwiththetipoftheabdomen，sometimesseekingpersistently，beforeunsheathing。Theythrustonlywhenthepointbeneaththestingispreciselythatatwhichthewoundwillproduceitsfulleffect。TheTwo-bandedScoliainparticularwillstrugglewiththeCetonia-grubforhalfanhouratatimetoenableherselftodriveinthestilettoattherightspot。

Weariedbyanendlessscuffle，oneofmycaptivescommittedbeforemyeyesaslightblunder，anunprecedentedthing。Herweaponenteredalittletooneside，notquiteamillimetrefromthecentralpointandstill，ofcourse，onthelineofdemarcationbetweenthefirsttwothoracicsegments。

Iatoncelaidholdofthepreciousspecimen，whichwastoteachmecuriousmattersabouttheeffectsofanill-deliveredstroke。IfImyselfhadmadetheinsectstingatthisorthatpoint，therewouldhavebeennoparticularinterestinit:theScolia，heldbetweenthefinger-tips，wouldwoundatrandom，likeaBeedefendingherself；herundirectedstingwouldinjectthepoisonathaphazard。Buthereeverythinghappenedbyrule，exceptforthelittleerrorofposition。

Well，thevictimofthisclumsyoperationhasitslegsparalysedonlyontheleftside，thesidetowardswhichtheweaponwasdeflected；itisacaseofhemiplegia。Thelegsontherightsidemove。Iftheoperationhadbeenperformedinthenormalfashiontheresultwouldhavebeensuddeninertiaofallsixlegs。Thehemiplegia，itistruedoesnotlastlong。Thetorporofthelefthalfrapidlygainstherighthalfofthebodyandthecreatureliesmotionless，incapableofburyingitselfinthemould，without，however，realizingtheconditionsindispensabletothesafetyoftheeggortheyounggrub。IfIseizeoneofitslegsorapointoftheskinwiththetweezers，itsuddenlyshrivelsandcurlsupandswellsoutagain，asitdoeswhenincompletepossessionofitsenergies。Whatwouldbecomeofanegglaidonsuchvictuals？Atthefirstclosingofthisruthlessvice，atthefirstcontraction，itwouldbecrushed，oratleastdetachedfromitsplace；andanyeggremovedfromthepointwherethemotherhasfasteneditisboundtoperish。Itneeds，ontheCetonia"sabdomen，ayieldingsupportwhichthebitesofthenew-bornlarvawillnotsetaquiver。Theslightlyeccentricstinggivesnoneofthissoftmassoffat，alwaysoutstretchedandquiescent。Onlyonthefollowingday，afterthetorporhasmadeprogress，doesthelarvabecomesuitablyinertandlimp。Butitistoolate；andinthemeantimetheeggwouldbeinseriousdangeronthishalf-paralysedvictim。Thesting，bystrayinglessthanamillimetre，wouldleavetheScoliawithoutprogeny。

Ipromisedfractions。Heretheyare。LetusconsidertheTarantulaandtheEpeiraonwhomtheCalicurgihavejustoperated。Thefirstthrustofthestingisdeliveredinthemouth。Inbothvictimsthepoison-fangsareabsolutelylifeless:ticklingwithabitofstrawneveroncesucceedsinmakingthemopen。Ontheotherhand，thepalpi，theirverynearneighbours，theiradjunctsasitwere，possesstheircustomarymobility。Withoutanyprevioustouches，theykeeponmovingforweeks。Inenteringthemouththestingdidnotreachthecervicalganglia，orsuddendeathwouldhaveensuedandweshouldhavebeforeoureyescorpseswhichwouldgobadinafewdays，insteadoffreshcarcasesinwhichtracesofliferemainmanifestforalongtime。Thecephalicnerve-centreshavebeenspared。

Whatiswoundedthen，toprocurethisprofoundinertiaofthepoison-fangs？

Iregretthatmyanatomicalknowledgeleavesmeundecidedonthispoint。

Arethefangsactuatedbyaspecialganglion？Aretheyactuatedbyfibresissuingfromcentresexercisingfurtherfunctions？IleavetoanatomistsequippedwithmoredelicateinstrumentsthanIthetaskofelucidatingthisobscurequestion。Thesecondconjectureappearstomethemoreprobable，becauseofthepalpi，whosenerves，itseemstome，musthavethesameoriginasthoseofthefangs。Basingourargumentonthislatterhypothesis，weseethattheCalicurgushasonlyonemeansofsuppressingthemovementofthepoisonedpincerswithoutaffectingthemobilityofthepalpi，aboveallwithoutinjuringthecephaliccentresandthusproducingdeath，namely，toreachwithherstingthetwofibresactuatingthefangs，fibresasfineasahair。

Iinsistuponthispoint。Despitetheirextremedelicacy，thesetwofilamentsmustbeinjureddirectly；for，ifitwereenoughforthestingtoinjectitspoison“thereorthereabouts，“thenervesofthepalpi，soclosetothefirst，wouldundergothesameintoxicationastheadjacentregionandwouldleavethoseappendagesmotionless。Thepalpimove；theyretaintheirmobilityforaconsiderableperiod；theactionofthepoison，therefore，isevidentlysituatedinthenervesofthefangs。Therearetwoofthesenerve-filaments，veryfine，verydifficulttodiscover，evenbytheprofessionalanatomist。TheCalicurgushastoreachthemoneaftertheother，tomoistenthemwithherpoison，possiblytotransfixthem，inanycasetooperateupontheminaveryrestrictedmanner；sothatthediffusionofthevirusmaynotinvolvetheadjoiningparts。Theextremedelicacyofthissurgeryexplainswhytheweaponremainsinthemouthsolong；thepointofthestingisseekingandeventuallyfindsthetinyfractionofamillimetrewherethepoisonistoact。Thisiswhatwelearnfromthemovementsofthepalpiclosetothemotionlessfangs；theytellusthattheCalicurgiarevivisectorsofalarmingaccuracy。

Ifweacceptthehypothesisofaspecialnerve-centreforthemandibles，thedifficultywouldbealittleless，withoutdetractingfromtheoperator"stalent。Thestingwouldthenhavetoreachabarelyvisiblespeck，anatominwhichweshouldhardlyfindroomforthepointofaneedle。Thisisthedifficultywhichthevariousparalyserssolveinordinarypractice。Dotheyactuallywoundwiththeirdirkstheganglionwhoseinfluenceistobedoneawaywith？Itispossible，butIhavetriednotesttomakesure，theinfinitelytinywoundappearingtobetoodifficulttodetectwiththeopticalinstrumentsatmydisposal。Dotheyconfinethemselvestolodgingtheirdropofpoisonontheganglion，oratalleventsinitsimmediateneighbourhood？Idonotsayno。

Ideclaremoreover，that，toprovokelightningparalysis，thepoison，ifitisnotdepositedinsidethemassofnervoussubstance，mustactfromsomewhereverynear。ThisassertionismerelyechoingwhattheTwo-bandedScoliahasjustshownus:herCetonia-grub，stunglessthanamillimetrefromtheregularspot，didnotbecomemotionlessuntilnextday。Thereisnodoubt，judgingbythisinstance，thattheeffectofthevirusspreadsinalldirectionswithinaradiusofsomeextent；butthisdiffusionisnotenoughfortheoperator，whorequiresforheregg，whichissoontobelaid，absolutesafetyfromtheveryfirst。

Ontheotherhand，theactionsoftheparalysersargueaprecisesearchfortheganglia，atalleventsforthefirstthoracicganglion，themostimportantofall。TheHairyAmmophila，amongothers，affordsusanexcellentexampleofthismethod。Herthreethrustsinthecaterpillar"sthoraxandespeciallythelast，betweenthefirstandsecondpairoflegs，aremoreprolongedthanthestabsdistributedamongtheabdominalganglia。

Everythingjustifiesusinbelievingthat，forthesedecisiveinoculations，thestingseeksoutthecorrespondingganglionandactsonlywhenitfindsitunderitspoint。Ontheabdomenthispeculiarinsistenceceases；thestingpassesswiftlyfromonesegmenttoanother。Forthesesegments，whicharelessdangerous，theAmmophilaperhapsreliesonthediffusionofhervenom；inanycase，theinjections，thoughhastilyadministered，donotdivergefromaclosevicinityoftheganglia，fortheirfieldofactionisverylimited，asisprovedbythenumberofinoculationsnecessarytoinducecompletetorpor，or，moresimply，bythefollowingexample。

AGreyWormwhichhadjustreceiveditsfirststingonthethirdthoracicsegmentrepulsestheAmmophilaandwithajerkhurlshertoadistance。I

profitbytheoccasionandtakeholdofthegrub。Thelegsofthisthirdsegmentonlyareparalysed；theothersretaintheirusualmobility。Howeverhelplessinthetwoinjuredlegs，theanimalcanwalkverywell；itburiesitselfintheearth，returningtothesurfaceatnighttognawthestumpoflettucewithwhichIhaveservedit。Forafortnightmyparalyticretainsperfectlibertyofaction，exceptinthesegmentoperatedon；thenitdies，notofitswoundbutaccidentally。Allthistimetheeffectofthepoisonhasnotspreadbeyondtheinoculatedsegment。

Atanypointwherethestingenters，anatomyinformsusofthepresenceofanervousnucleus。Isthiscentredirectlysmittenbytheweapon？Orisitpoisonedwithvirus，fromaverysmalldistance，bytheprogressiveimpregnationoftheneighbouringtissues？Thisisthedoubtfulpoint，thoughitdoesnotinanywayinvalidatetheprecisionoftheabdominalinjections，whicharecomparativelyneglected。Asforthoseinthecaterpillar"sthorax，theirprecisionisbeyonddispute。AftertheAmmophilae，theScoliaeand，aboveall，theCalicurgi，isitreallynecessarytobringintocourtyetotherwitnesses，whowouldallswearthat，withmodificationsofdetail，themovementoftheirlancetisstrictlyregulatedbythenervoussystemoftheprey？Thisoughttobeenough。Theproofisestablishedforthosewhohaveearstohearwith。

Othersdelightinobjectionswhoseodditysurprisesme。TheyseeinthepoisonoftheHuntingWaspsanantisepticliquidandinvictualsstoredintheirburrowspreservedmeatswhicharekeptfreshnotbyaremnantoflifebutbythevirusanditsmicrobes。Come，mylearnedmasters，letusjusttalkthematterover，betweenourselves。HaveyoueverseenthelarderofaskilledHuntingWasp，aSphexforinstance，aScolia，anAmmophila？Youhaven"t，haveyou？Ithoughtasmuch。Yetitwouldbebettertobeginbydoingso，beforebringingthepreservativemicrobeonthescene。Theslightestexaminationwouldhaveshownyouthatthevictualscannotbecomparedexactlywithsmokedhams。Thethingmoves，thereforeitisnotdead。Thereyouhavethewholematter，initsartlesssimplicity。Thepalpimove，themandiblesopenandshut，thetarsiquiver，theantennaeandtheabdominalfilamentswavetoandfro，theabdomenthrobs，theintestinerejectsitscontents，theanimalreactstothestimulusofaneedle，allofwhichsignsarehardlycompatiblewiththeideaofpickledmeat。

HaveyouhadthecuriositytolookthroughthepagesinwhichIsetforththedetailedresultsofmyobservations？Youhaven"t，haveyou？Again，I

thoughtasmuch。Itisapity。Youwouldtherefind，inparticular，thehistoryofcertainEphippigerswho，afterbeingstungbytheSphexaccordingtorule，wererearedbymyselfbyhand。Youmustagreethatthesearequeerpreservestobeproducedbytheuseofanantisepticfluid。TheyacceptthemouthfulswhichIofferthemonthetipofastraw；theyfeed，theysitupandtakenourishment。Ishallneverlivetoseetinnedsardinesdoingasmuch。

Iwillavoidtediousrepetitionandcontentmyselfwithaddingtomyoldsheafofproofsafewfactswhichhavenotyetbeenrelated。TheNest-

buildingOdynerusshowedusinhercellsafewChrysomela-larvaefixedbythehinderparttothesideofthereed。Thegrubfastensitselfinthiswaytothepoplar-leaftoobtainapurchasewhenthemomenthascomeforleavingthelarvalslough。Donotthesepreparationsforthenymphosistellusplainlythatthecreatureisnotdead？

TheHairyAmmophilaaffordsusanevenbetterexample。Anumberofcaterpillarsoperatedonbeforemyeyesattained，somesooner，somelater，thechrysalisstage。Mynotesareexplicitonthesubjectofsomeofthem，takenonVerbascumsinuatum。Sacrificedonthe14thofApril，theywerestillirritablewhentickledwithastrawafortnightafter。Alittlelater，thepale-greencolouringoftheearlystagesisreplacedbyareddishbrown，exceptontwoorthreesegmentsofthemedianventralsurface。Theskinwrinklesandsplits，butdoesnotcomedetachedofitsownaccord。Icaneasilyremoveitinshreds。Underthissloughappearsthefirm，chestnut-brownhornintegumentofthechrysalis。ThedevelopmentofthenymphosisissocorrectthatforamomentthecrazyhopeoccurstomethatImayseeaTurnip-mothcomeoutofthismummy，thevictimofadozendagger-thrusts。Fortherest，thereisnoattemptatspinningacocoon，nojetofsilkythreadsflungoutbythecaterpillarbeforeturningintoachrysalis。Perhapsundernormalconditionsmetamorphosistakesplacewithoutthisprotection。However，themothwhomIexpectedtoseewasbeyondthelimitsofthepossible。InthemiddleofMay，amonthaftertheoperationonthecaterpillars，mythreechrysalids，stillincompleteunderneath，inthethreeorfourmiddlesegments，witheredandatlastwentmouldy。Istheevidenceconclusivethistime？Whocanconceivesuchasillyideaasthatapreyreallydead，acorpsepreservedfromputrefactionbyanantiseptic，couldcontainwhatisperhapsthemostdelicateworkoflife，thedevelopmentofthegrubintotheperfectinsect？

Thetruthmustbedrivenintorecalcitrantbrainswithgreatblowsofthesledge-hammer。Letusoncemoreemploythismethod。InSeptemberIunearthfromaheapofmouldfiveCetonia-grubs，paralysedbytheTwo-bandedScoliaandbearingontheabdomentheasyetunhatchedeggoftheWasp。Iremovetheeggsandinstallthehelplesscreaturesonabedofleaf-mouldwithaglasscover。IproposetoseehowlongIcankeepthemfresh，abletomovetheirmandiblesandpalpi。AlreadythevictimsofvariousHuntingWaspshadinstructedmeonasimilarmatter；Iknewthattracesoflifelingerfortwo，three，fourweeksandlonger。Forinstance，IhadseentheEphippigersoftheLanguedocianSphexcontinuethewavingoftheirantennaeandtheirparalyticshuddersforfortydaysofartificialfeedingbyhand；andIusedtowonderwhetherthemoreorlessearlydeathoftheothervictimswasnotduetolackofnourishmentquiteasmuchastotheoperationwhichtheyhadundergone。However，theinsectinitsadultformusuallyhasaverybriefexistence。Itsoondies，killedbythemerefactofliving，withoutanyotheraccident。Alarvaispreferablefortheseinvestigations。Itsconstitutionislivelier，betterabletosupportprotractedabstinence，aboveallduringthewintertorpor。TheCetonia-grub，aregularlumpofbacon，nourishedbyitsownfatduringthewinterseason，fulfilstheneedfulconditionstoperfection。Whatwillbecomeofit，lyingbellyupwardsonitsbedofleaf-mould？Willitsurvivethewinter？

Attheendofamonth，threeofmygrubsturnbrownandlapseintorottenness。Theothertwokeepperfectlyfreshandmovetheirantennaeandpalpiatthetouchofastraw。Thecoldweathercomesandticklingnolongerelicitsthesesignsoflife。Theinertiaiscomplete；neverthelesstheirappearanceremainsexcellent，withoutatraceofthebrownishtinge，thesignofdeterioration。Atthereturnofthewarmweather，inthemiddleofMay，thereisasortofresurrection。Ifindmytwolarvaeturnedover，bellydownwards；muchmore:theyarehalf-buriedinthemould。Whenteased，theycoiluplazily；theymovetheirlegsaswellastheirmouth-parts，butslowlyandwithoutvigour。Thentheirstrengthseemstorevive。Theconvalescent，resuscitatedgrubsdigwithclumsyeffortsintotheirbedofmould；theydiveintoitanddisappeartoadepthofabouttwoinches。

Recoveryseemstobeimminent。

Iammistaken。InJuneIunearththeinvalids。Thistime，thelarvaearedead；theirbrowncolourtellsmeasmuch。Iexpectedbetterthings。Nevermind:thisisnotriflingsuccess。Forninemonths，ninelongmonths，thegrubsstabbedbytheScoliakeptfreshandalive。Towardstheend，torporwasdispelled，strengthandmovementreturned，sufficientlytoenablethemtoleavethesurfacewhereIhadplacedthemandtoregainthedepthsbyboringapassagethroughthesoil。Ireallythinkthatafterthisresurrectiontherewillbenomoretalkofantiseptics，unlessanduntiltinnedHerringsbegintofrolicintheirbrine。(Thesubjectofthisandtheprecedingchaptersiscontinuedinanessayentitled“ThePoisonoftheBee“forwhichcf。“Bramble-beesandOthers“:chapter11——Translator"sNote。)

INDEX。

Acorn-weevil。

Amedeus"Eumenes。

Amelesdecolor(seeGreyMantis)。

Ammophila(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Ammophilahursuta(seeHairyAmmophila)。

Ammophilaholoserica(seeSilkyAmmophila)。

AmmophilaJulii(seeJules"Ammophila)。

Ammophilasabulosa(seeSandyAmmophila)。

AnathemaTachytes。

Anoxia(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Anoxiaaustralis。

Anoxiamatutinalis(seeMorningAnoxia)。

Anoxiavillosa(seeShaggyAnoxia)。

Ant。

Anthidium(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Anthidiumbellicosum。

Anthidiumscapulare。

Anthidiumseptemdentatum。

Anthophora。

Anthrax(seealsoAnthraxsinuata)。

Anthraxsinuata。

Ape。

Aphis(seePlant-louse)。

Ass。

Astata。

Balaninus(seealsoBalaninusglandum)。

Balaninusglandum(seeAcorn-weevil)。

BandedEpeira。

Bat。

Bee(seealsoBumble-bee，Hive-bee，Mason-bee)。

Bee-eatingPhilanthus。

Beetle。

Bembex(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Bembexbidentata(seeTwo-prongedBembex)。

Bembexrostrata(seeRostrateBembex)。

Black，AdamandCharles。

Black-belliedTarantula。

BlackSpider(seeCellarSpider)。

BlackTachytes。

Blister-beetle(seeOil-beetle)。

Bluebottle。

BlueOsmia。

Bombylius。

Boyle，Robert。

Brachycera。

Brachyderespubescens(seePubescentBrachyderes)。

Breguet，Louis。

Brillat-Savarin，Anthelme。

Brown-wingedSolenius。

Bug。

Bull。

Bull，theauthor"sDog。

Bullock。

Bumble-bee。

Buprestis。

Buprestis-huntingCerceris。

BurntZonitis。

Butterfly。

CabbagePieris。

Calicurgus(seePompilusandthevarietiesbelow)。

Calicurgusannulatus(seeRingedCalicurgus)。

Calicurgusscurra(seeHarlequinCalicurgus)。

Callot，Jacques。

Cantharides。

Carpenter-bee。

CellarSpider。

Centuryco。

Cerceris(seealsoBuprestis-huntingCercerisandthevarietiesbelow)。

Cercerisarenaria(seeSandCerceris)。

CercerisFerreri(seeFerrero"sCerceris)。

Cercerisornata(seeOrnateCerceris)。

Cerceristuberculata(seeGreatCerceris)。

Cerocoma。

Cetonia(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Cetoniaaurata(seeGoldenCetonia)。

Cetoniamorio。

Chaffinch。

Chalicodoma(seeMason-bee)。

Chaoucho-grapaou(seeNightjar)。

Chimpanzee。

Chrysomelapopuli(seePoplarLeaf-beetle)。

Cicada。

Cicadella。

Cleonus(seealsoCleonusophthalmicus)。

Cleonusophthalmicus。

Cneorhinus。

Cockchafer。

Colpainterrupta(seeInterruptedScolia)。

CommonCockchafer(seeCockchafer)。

CommonWasp。

Cotton-bee(seeAnthidiumscapulare)。

Cow。

Crab。

Crabro(seeHornet)。

Crabrochrysostomus(seeGolden-mouthedHornet)。

Cricket。

CrownedPhilanthus。

Cuckoo。

Darwin，CharlesRobert。

Davidthepainter。

David，FelicienCesar。

Death"s-headHawk-moth。

Devilkin(seeEmpusa)。

Dicranuravinula。

Dioxyscincta(seeGirdledDioxys)。

Dog(seealsoBull)。

Drone-fly。

Dufour，JeanMarieLeon。

Duges，LouisAntoine。

Earth-worm。

Eight-spottedPompilus。

Empusa。

Epeira(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Epeirafasciata(seeBandedEpeira)。

Epeiraserica(seeSilkyEpeira)。

Ephippiger。

EristalisE。tenax(seeDrone-fly)。

Eucera。

EuchloraJulii。

Eumenes(seealsoAmedeusEumenes)。

Fabricius，JohanChristian。

Favier，theauthor"sfactotum。

Ferrero"sCerceris。

Field-mouse。

Fly(seealsoGad-fly，House-fly)。

Fox。

Frog。

Gad-fly。

Galileo。

GardenScolia。

GardenSpider(seeEpeira)。

Geonomus。

GirdledDioxys。

Gnat。

Goat。

Goatsucker(seeNightjar)。

GoldenCetonia。

Golden-crestedWren。

Golden-mouthedHornet。

GoldenOsmia。

Gorilla。

Grasshopper。

GreatCellarSpider(seeCellarSpider)。

GreatCerceris。

GreyMantis。

GreyWorm。

HairyAmmophila。

Halictus。

HarlequinCalicurgus。

Hedgehog。

Helophiluspendulus。

HemorrhoidalScolia。

Hen。

Herring。

Hive-bee。

Hog。

Hornet(seealsoGolden-mouthedHornet)。

House-fly。

InterruptedScolia。

Jules，Ammophila。

Klug。

Lalande，JosephJeromeLeFrancaisde。

Lamellicorn。

LanguedocianSphex。

Lark。

Latreille，PierreAndre。

Leucopsisgigas，L。grandis。

Lily-beetle。

Linnet。

Locust。

Looper。

Lycosa(seeBlack-belliedTarantula)。

MacmillanCo。

Mantis(seealsoGreyMantis，PrayingMantis)。

Mantis-huntingTachytes(seeMantis-killingTachytes)。

Mantis-killingTachytes。

Mariotte，Edme。

Mason-bee(seealsotheAnthophoraandthevarietiesbelow)。

Mason-beeofthePebbles(seeMason-beeoftheWalls)。

Mason-beeoftheSheds。

Mason-beeoftheShrubs。

Mason-beeoftheWalls。

Measuring-worm(seeLooper)。

Megachilesericans。

Melanophora。

Meloe(seeOil-beetle)。

Miall，Bernard。

Midge。

MithradatesVI。

Mole。

Mole-cricket。

Monkey。

Monoceros(seeOryctesnasicornis)。

MorningAnoxia。

Mosquito。

Moth。

Mule。

Muscid(seeHouse-fly)。

Mylabris。

NarbonneLycosa(seeBlack-belliedTarantula)。

Nest-buildingOdynerus。

Nightjar。

Nut-weevil。

Odynerus(seealsoNest-buildingOdynerus)。

Oil-beetle。

OrnateCerceris。

Oryctesnasicornis。

OryctesSilenus。

Osmia(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Osmiacyanea(seeBlueOsmia)。

Osmiacyanoxantha。

OsmiaLatreillii(seeLatreille"sOsmia)。

Osmiaparvula(seeTinyOsmia)。

Osmiatricornis(seeThree-hornedOsmia)。

Ostrich。

Otiorhynchus。

Palarus(seealsoPalarusflavipes)。

Palarusflavipes。

Pangonia。

Panzer"sTachytes。

Paragus。

Pascal，Blaise。

Passerini。

Pea-weevil。

Pelopaeus。

Pentodonpunctatus。

Perez，J。

Phaneropteronfalcata。

Philanthus(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Philanthusapivorus(seeBee-eatingPhilanthus)。

Philanthuscoronatus(seeCrownedPhilanthus)。

Philanthusraptor(seeRobberPhilanthus)。

Phynotomus。

Pieris(seeCabbagePieris)。

Pig。

Pine-chafer。

Pithecanthropus。

Plant-louse。

Pompilus(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Pompilusannulatus(seeRingedCalicurgus)。

Pompilusapicalis。

Pompilusoctopunctatus(seeEight-spottedPompilus)。

PoplarLeaf-Beetle。

PrayingMantis。

PubescentBrachyderes。

Rat。

Resin-bee(seeAnthidiumbellicosum，Anthidiumseptemdentatum)。

RhinocerosBeetle(seeOryctesnasicornis)。

Rhynchitesbetuleti。

RingedCalicurgus。

RingedPompilus(seeRingedCalicurgus)。

RobberPhilanthus。

Robber-fly。

Robin。

Romanes，GeorgeJohn。

Rose-chafer(seeCetonia，GoldenCetonia)。

RostrateBembex。

SandCerceris。

SandyAmmophila。

Sapygapunctata(seeSpottedSapyga)。

Sarcophaga。

Scarabaeid。

Scarabaeuspentodon。

Scolia(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Scoliabifasciata(seeTwo-bandedScolia)。

Scoliahaemorrhoidalis(seeHemorrhoidalScolia)。

Scoliahortorum(seeGardenScolia)。

Scoliainterrupta(seeInterruptedScolia)。

Screech-owl。

Seal。

Segestriaperfidia(seeCellarSpider)。

ShaggyAnoxia。

Sheep。

Silkworm。

SilkyAmmophila。

SilkyEpeira。

SilkyLeaf-cutter(seeMegachilesericans)。

Sitones。

Skua。

Slug。

Snail。

Socrates。

Soleniusfascipennis(seeBrown-wingedSolenius)。

Soleniusvagus(seeWanderingSolenius)。

Sparrow。

Sparrow-hawk。

Sphaerophoria。

Sphex(seealsoLanguedocianSphex，White-bandedSphex，Yellow-wingedSphex。)

Spider(seealsoBlack-belliedTarantula，CellarSpider，Epeira。

SpottedSapyga。

SpurgeHawk-moth。

Stizus(seealsothevarietiesbelow)。

Stizusruficornis。

Stizustridentatus。

Strophosomus。

Swallow。

Swammerdam，Jan。

Syrittaperpens。

Syrphus。

Tachytes(seealsoMantis-killingTachytesandthevarietiesbelow)。

Tachytesanathema(seeAnathemaTachytes)。

Tachytesnigra(seeBlackTachytes)。

TachytesPanzeri(seePanzer"sTachytes)。

Tachytestarsina(seeTarsalTachytes)。

Tachytesunicolor。

Tarantula(seeBlack-belliedTarantula)。

TarsalBembex。

TarsalTachytes。

TeixeiradeMattos，Alexander。

Three-hornedOsmia。

TinyOsmia。

Toad。

Toricelli，Evangelista。

Toussenel，Alphonse。

Turkey。

TurnipMoth。

Two-bandedScolia。

Two-prongedBembex。

Unwin，T。Fisher，Ltd。

Vespacrabro(seeHornet)。

VirgilianBee，Virgil"sBee(seeDrone-fly)。

WanderingSolenius。

Wasp(seeCommonWasp)。

Weevil(seealsoAcorn-weevil，Nut-weevil，Pea-weevil)。

Whale。

Whippoorwill(seeNightjar)。

White-bandedSphex。

WhiteWorm。

Wolf。

Yellow-wingedSphex。

Zeuzera。

Zonitispraeusta(seeBurntZonitis)。

End