. From the anatomy of the victims, with their concentrated
nervous system, I foresaw, when compiling my history of the Scoliae,
that the sting would be unsheathed once only; I even mentioned the exact
spot into which the weapon would be plunged.

These were assertions dictated by the anatomist's scalpel, without the
slightest direct proof derived from observed facts. Manoeuvres executed
underground escaped the eye, as it seemed to me that they must always
do. How indeed could I hope that a creature whose art is practised in
the darkness of a heap of mould would decide to work in broad daylight?
I did not reckon upon it all. Nevertheless, to salve my conscience,
I tried bringing the Scolia into contact with her prey under the
bell-glass. I was well-advised to do so, for my success was in inverse
ratio to my hopes. Next to the Philanthus, none of the Hunting Wasps
displayed such ardour in attacking under artificial conditions. All the
insects experimented upon, some sooner, some later, rewarded me for my
patience. Let us watch the Two-banded Scolia (S. bifasciata, VAN DER
LIND) operating on her Cetonia grub.

The incarcerated larva strives to escape its terrible neighbour. Lying
on its back, it fiercely wends its way round and round the glass circus.
Presently the Scolia's attention awakens and is betrayed by a continued
tapping with the tips of the antennae upon the table, which now
represents the accustomed soil. The Wasp attacks the game, delivering
her assault upon the monster's hinder end. She climbs upon the
Cetonia-grub, obtaining a purchase with the tip of her abdomen. The
quarry merely travels the more quickly on its back, without coiling
itself into a defensive posture. The Scolia reaches the fore-part,
with tumbles and other accidents which vary greatly with the amount
of tolerance displayed by the larva, her improvised steed. With her
mandibles she nips a point of the thorax, on the upper surface; she
places herself athwart the beast, arches herself and makes every effort
to reach with the end of her abdomen the region into which the sting
is to be driven. The arch is a little too narrow to embrace almost the
whole circumference of her corpulent prey; and she renews her
attempts and efforts for a long time. The tip of the belly tries every
conceivable expedient, touching here, there and everywhere, but as yet
stopping nowhere. This persistent search in itself demonstrates the
importance which the paralyser at