X THE SPHEX OF LANGUEDOC 137 



Many a time I have here surprised the Sphex 

 reposing on a vine-leaf, exposed to the full rays of 

 the sun. The insect, lying flat and spread out, is 

 voluptuously enjoying the delights of warmth and 

 light. From time to time a kind of frenzy of plea- 

 sure bursts forth in her ; she thrills with well-being, 

 drums rapidly on her resting-place with the points of 

 her feet, and produces a sound somewhat like the 

 roll of a drum, or heavy rain falling on foliage per- 

 pendicularly. You may hear this joyous drumming 

 several paces off. Then again comes perfect stillness, 

 followed by a fresh nervous commotion, and that 

 waving of tarsi which is a sign of supreme happiness. 

 I have known some of these ardent sun-worshippers 

 suddenly leave a half-finished burrow to settle on a 

 neighbouring vine and take a bath of sun and light, 

 returning reluctantly to give a careless sweep to the 

 hole, and finally abandon the workshop, unable 

 longer to resist the temptation of luxuriating on a 

 vine leaf. Perhaps this voluptuous resting-place is 

 also an observatory whence to inspect the neighbour- 

 hood, and espy and choose prey. This Sphex 

 catches only the ephippiger of the vine, scattered 

 here and there on the leaves or on any convenient 

 bush. The game is succulent — all the more that only 

 females full of eggs are selected. 



Let us pass over numerous expeditions, fruitless 

 researches, and the tedium of long waiting, and present 

 the Sphex to the reader just as she shows herself to 

 the observer. Here she is, at the bottom of a hollow 

 way with high sandy banks. She comes on foot, 

 but aids herself with her wings in dragging along 

 her heavy captive. The ephippiger's antennae, like 



