164 SOCIAL LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD 



destroys the contractile power of the organs. Where 

 shall the deadly blow be delivered ? The slayer knows 

 better than we, when she pierces the victim beneath the 

 chin. Through the narrow breach in the throat the 

 cerebral ganglions are reached and immediate death 

 ensues. 



The examination of these acts of brigandage is not 

 sufficient in view of my incorrigible habit of following 

 every reply by another query, until the granite wall of the 

 unknowable rises before me. Although the Philanthus 

 is skilled in forcing the bee to disgorge, in emptying the 

 crop distended with honey, this diabolical skill cannot 

 be merely an alimentary resource, above all when in 

 common with other insects she has access to the refectory 

 of the flowers. I cannot regard her talents as inspired 

 solely by the desire of a meal obtained by the labour of 

 emptying the stomach of another insect. Something 

 must surely escape us here : the real reason for emptying 

 the stomach. Perhaps a respectable reason is concealed 

 by the horrors 1 have recorded. What is it ? 



Every one will understand the vagueness which fills 

 the observer's mind in respect of such a question as this. 

 The reader has the right to be doubtful. I will spare 

 him my suspicions, my gropings for the truth, and the 

 checks encountered in the search, and give him the 

 results of my long inquiry. Everything has its appro- 

 priate and harmonious reason. I am too fully persuaded 

 of this to believe that the Philanthus commits her pro- 

 fanation of corpses merely to satisfy her appetite. What 

 does the empty stomach mean ? May it not — Yes ! — 

 But, after all, who knows ? Well, let us follow up the 

 scent. 



