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，curvedintoahooklikethecommonWhiteWormThelarvaoftheCockchafer——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，sturdilybuiltAcridianssuccumbLocustsandGrasshoppers——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。ThisistheHarlequinCalicurgusC。scurra，LEP。，whosportsthesamegaudycostumeasthefirstandisalmostofthesamesize。
Nowwhatdoesthisnewcomer，ofwhomIknownothing，want？ASpider，thatiscertain；butwhich？Ahuntresslikethiswillneedacorpulentquarry:
perhapstheSilkyEpeiraE。serica，perhapstheBandedEpeiraE。
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，theSandyCercerisC。arenaria，persistentlyscornedthevictimsoffered；theother，Ferrero\'sCercerisC。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，theEristalisE。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。
AmelesdecolorseeGreyMantis。
Ammophilaseealsothevarietiesbelow。
AmmophilahursutaseeHairyAmmophila。
AmmophilaholosericaseeSilkyAmmophila。
AmmophilaJuliiseeJules\'Ammophila。
AmmophilasabulosaseeSandyAmmophila。
AnathemaTachytes。
Anoxiaseealsothevarietiesbelow。
Anoxiaaustralis。
AnoxiamatutinalisseeMorningAnoxia。
AnoxiavillosaseeShaggyAnoxia。
Ant。
Anthidiumseealsothevarietiesbelow。
Anthidiumbellicosum。
Anthidiumscapulare。
Anthidiumseptemdentatum。
Anthophora。
AnthraxseealsoAnthraxsinuata。
Anthraxsinuata。
Ape。
AphisseePlant-louse。
Ass。
Astata。
BalaninusseealsoBalaninusglandum。
BalaninusglandumseeAcorn-weevil。
BandedEpeira。
Bat。
BeeseealsoBumble-bee，Hive-bee，Mason-bee。
Bee-eatingPhilanthus。
Beetle。
Bembexseealsothevarietiesbelow。
BembexbidentataseeTwo-prongedBembex。
BembexrostrataseeRostrateBembex。
Black，AdamandCharles。
Black-belliedTarantula。
BlackSpiderseeCellarSpider。
BlackTachytes。
Blister-beetleseeOil-beetle。
Bluebottle。
BlueOsmia。
Bombylius。
Boyle，Robert。
Brachycera。
BrachyderespubescensseePubescentBrachyderes。
Breguet，Louis。
Brillat-Savarin，Anthelme。
Brown-wingedSolenius。
Bug。
Bull。
Bull，theauthor\'sDog。
Bullock。
Bumble-bee。
Buprestis。
Buprestis-huntingCerceris。
BurntZonitis。
Butterfly。
CabbagePieris。
CalicurgusseePompilusandthevarietiesbelow。
CalicurgusannulatusseeRingedCalicurgus。
CalicurgusscurraseeHarlequinCalicurgus。
Callot，Jacques。
Cantharides。
Carpenter-bee。
CellarSpider。
Centuryco。
CercerisseealsoBuprestis-huntingCercerisandthevarietiesbelow。
CercerisarenariaseeSandCerceris。
CercerisFerreriseeFerrero\'sCerceris。
CercerisornataseeOrnateCerceris。
CerceristuberculataseeGreatCerceris。
Cerocoma。
Cetoniaseealsothevarietiesbelow。
CetoniaaurataseeGoldenCetonia。
Cetoniamorio。
Chaffinch。
ChalicodomaseeMason-bee。
Chaoucho-grapaouseeNightjar。
Chimpanzee。
ChrysomelapopuliseePoplarLeaf-beetle。
Cicada。
Cicadella。
CleonusseealsoCleonusophthalmicus。
Cleonusophthalmicus。
Cneorhinus。
Cockchafer。
ColpainterruptaseeInterruptedScolia。
CommonCockchaferseeCockchafer。
CommonWasp。
Cotton-beeseeAnthidiumscapulare。
Cow。
Crab。
CrabroseeHornet。
CrabrochrysostomusseeGolden-mouthedHornet。
Cricket。
CrownedPhilanthus。
Cuckoo。
Darwin，CharlesRobert。
Davidthepainter。
David，FelicienCesar。
Death\'s-headHawk-moth。
DevilkinseeEmpusa。
Dicranuravinula。
DioxyscinctaseeGirdledDioxys。
DogseealsoBull。
Drone-fly。
Dufour，JeanMarieLeon。
Duges，LouisAntoine。
Earth-worm。
Eight-spottedPompilus。
Empusa。
Epeiraseealsothevarietiesbelow。
EpeirafasciataseeBandedEpeira。
EpeirasericaseeSilkyEpeira。
Ephippiger。
EristalisE。tenaxseeDrone-fly。
Eucera。
EuchloraJulii。
EumenesseealsoAmedeusEumenes。
Fabricius，JohanChristian。
Favier，theauthor\'sfactotum。
Ferrero\'sCerceris。
Field-mouse。
FlyseealsoGad-fly，House-fly。
Fox。
Frog。
Gad-fly。
Galileo。
GardenScolia。
GardenSpiderseeEpeira。
Geonomus。
GirdledDioxys。
Gnat。
Goat。
GoatsuckerseeNightjar。
GoldenCetonia。
Golden-crestedWren。
Golden-mouthedHornet。
GoldenOsmia。
Gorilla。
Grasshopper。
GreatCellarSpiderseeCellarSpider。
GreatCerceris。
GreyMantis。
GreyWorm。
HairyAmmophila。
Halictus。
HarlequinCalicurgus。
Hedgehog。
Helophiluspendulus。
HemorrhoidalScolia。
Hen。
Herring。
Hive-bee。
Hog。
HornetseealsoGolden-mouthedHornet。
House-fly。
InterruptedScolia。
Jules，Ammophila。
Klug。
Lalande，JosephJeromeLeFrancaisde。
Lamellicorn。
LanguedocianSphex。
Lark。
Latreille，PierreAndre。
Leucopsisgigas，L。grandis。
Lily-beetle。
Linnet。
Locust。
Looper。
LycosaseeBlack-belliedTarantula。
MacmillanCo。
MantisseealsoGreyMantis，PrayingMantis。
Mantis-huntingTachytesseeMantis-killingTachytes。
Mantis-killingTachytes。
Mariotte，Edme。
Mason-beeseealsotheAnthophoraandthevarietiesbelow。
Mason-beeofthePebblesseeMason-beeoftheWalls。
Mason-beeoftheSheds。
Mason-beeoftheShrubs。
Mason-beeoftheWalls。
Measuring-wormseeLooper。
Megachilesericans。
Melanophora。
MeloeseeOil-beetle。
Miall，Bernard。
Midge。
MithradatesVI。
Mole。
Mole-cricket。
Monkey。
MonocerosseeOryctesnasicornis。
MorningAnoxia。
Mosquito。
Moth。
Mule。
MuscidseeHouse-fly。
Mylabris。
NarbonneLycosaseeBlack-belliedTarantula。
Nest-buildingOdynerus。
Nightjar。
Nut-weevil。
OdynerusseealsoNest-buildingOdynerus。
Oil-beetle。
OrnateCerceris。
Oryctesnasicornis。
OryctesSilenus。
Osmiaseealsothevarietiesbelow。
OsmiacyaneaseeBlueOsmia。
Osmiacyanoxantha。
OsmiaLatreilliiseeLatreille\'sOsmia。
OsmiaparvulaseeTinyOsmia。
OsmiatricornisseeThree-hornedOsmia。
Ostrich。
Otiorhynchus。
PalarusseealsoPalarusflavipes。
Palarusflavipes。
Pangonia。
Panzer\'sTachytes。
Paragus。
Pascal，Blaise。
Passerini。
Pea-weevil。
Pelopaeus。
Pentodonpunctatus。
Perez，J。
Phaneropteronfalcata。
Philanthusseealsothevarietiesbelow。
PhilanthusapivorusseeBee-eatingPhilanthus。
PhilanthuscoronatusseeCrownedPhilanthus。
PhilanthusraptorseeRobberPhilanthus。
Phynotomus。
PierisseeCabbagePieris。
Pig。
Pine-chafer。
Pithecanthropus。
Plant-louse。
Pompilusseealsothevarietiesbelow。
PompilusannulatusseeRingedCalicurgus。
Pompilusapicalis。
PompilusoctopunctatusseeEight-spottedPompilus。
PoplarLeaf-Beetle。
PrayingMantis。
PubescentBrachyderes。
Rat。
Resin-beeseeAnthidiumbellicosum，Anthidiumseptemdentatum。
RhinocerosBeetleseeOryctesnasicornis。
Rhynchitesbetuleti。
RingedCalicurgus。
RingedPompilusseeRingedCalicurgus。
RobberPhilanthus。
Robber-fly。
Robin。
Romanes，GeorgeJohn。
Rose-chaferseeCetonia，GoldenCetonia。
RostrateBembex。
SandCerceris。
SandyAmmophila。
SapygapunctataseeSpottedSapyga。
Sarcophaga。
Scarabaeid。
Scarabaeuspentodon。
Scoliaseealsothevarietiesbelow。
ScoliabifasciataseeTwo-bandedScolia。
ScoliahaemorrhoidalisseeHemorrhoidalScolia。
ScoliahortorumseeGardenScolia。
ScoliainterruptaseeInterruptedScolia。
Screech-owl。
Seal。
SegestriaperfidiaseeCellarSpider。
ShaggyAnoxia。
Sheep。
Silkworm。
SilkyAmmophila。
SilkyEpeira。
SilkyLeaf-cutterseeMegachilesericans。
Sitones。
Skua。
Slug。
Snail。
Socrates。
SoleniusfascipennisseeBrown-wingedSolenius。
SoleniusvagusseeWanderingSolenius。
Sparrow。
Sparrow-hawk。
Sphaerophoria。
SphexseealsoLanguedocianSphex，White-bandedSphex，Yellow-wingedSphex。
SpiderseealsoBlack-belliedTarantula，CellarSpider，Epeira。
SpottedSapyga。
SpurgeHawk-moth。
Stizusseealsothevarietiesbelow。
Stizusruficornis。
Stizustridentatus。
Strophosomus。
Swallow。
Swammerdam，Jan。
Syrittaperpens。
Syrphus。
TachytesseealsoMantis-killingTachytesandthevarietiesbelow。
TachytesanathemaseeAnathemaTachytes。
TachytesnigraseeBlackTachytes。
TachytesPanzeriseePanzer\'sTachytes。
TachytestarsinaseeTarsalTachytes。
Tachytesunicolor。
TarantulaseeBlack-belliedTarantula。
TarsalBembex。
TarsalTachytes。
TeixeiradeMattos，Alexander。
Three-hornedOsmia。
TinyOsmia。
Toad。
Toricelli，Evangelista。
Toussenel，Alphonse。
Turkey。
TurnipMoth。
Two-bandedScolia。
Two-prongedBembex。
Unwin，T。Fisher，Ltd。
VespacrabroseeHornet。
VirgilianBee，Virgil\'sBeeseeDrone-fly。
WanderingSolenius。
WaspseeCommonWasp。
WeevilseealsoAcorn-weevil，Nut-weevil，Pea-weevil。
Whale。
WhippoorwillseeNightjar。
White-bandedSphex。
WhiteWorm。
Wolf。
Yellow-wingedSphex。
Zeuzera。
ZonitispraeustaseeBurntZonitis。
End