edle and
scabbard--stands perpendicular to the cocoon, in the center of the
quadrilateral described by the four hind legs, an eminently favorable
position for obtaining the maximum effect. For some time, the whole of
the awl bears on the cocoon, feeling all round with its point, groping
about; then, suddenly, the boring needle is released from its sheath,
which falls back along the body, while the needle strives to make its
entrance. The operation is a difficult one. I see the insect make a
score of attempts, one after the other, without succeeding in piercing
the tough wrapper of the Stelis. Should the instrument not penetrate,
it retreats into its sheath and the insect resumes its scrutiny of the
cocoon, sounding it point by point with the tips of its antennae. Then
further thrusts are tried until one succeeds.

The eggs are little spindles, white and gleaming like ivory, about
two-thirds of a millimeter in length. They have not the long, curved
peduncle of the Leucospis' eggs; they are not suspended from the
ceiling of the cocoon like these, but are laid without order around
the fostering larva. Lastly, in a single cell and with a single mother,
there is always more than one laying; and the number of eggs varies
considerably in each. The Leucospis, because of her great size, which
rivals that of her victim, the Bee, finds in each cell provisions enough
for one and one alone. When, therefore, there is more than one set of
eggs in any one cell, this is due to a mistake on her part and not a
premeditated result. Where the whole ration is required for the meals
of a single grub, she would take good care not to install several if
she could help it. Her competitor is not called upon to observe the
same discretion. A Chalicodoma grub gives the dwarf the wherewithal to
portion a score of her little ones, who will live in common and in all
comfort on what a single son of the giantess would eat up by himself.
The tiny boring engineer, therefore, always settles a numerous family
at the same banquet. The bowl, ample for a dozen or two, is emptied in
perfect harmony.

Curiosity made me count the brood, to see if the mother was able to
estimate the victuals and to proportion the number of guests to the
sumptuousness of the fare provided. My notes mention fifty-four larvae
in the cell of a masked Anthophora (Anthophora personata). No other
census attained this figure. Possibly, two different mothers had laid
their eggs in this cr