i62 INSECT LIFE xi 



egg to hatch and the grub to develop. The par- 

 alysis has thus a double result — immobility, so as not 

 to endanger the life of the delicate larvae, and long 

 preservation of the flesh to assure wholesome nourish- 

 ment for them. Even when enlightened by science 

 human logic could find nothing better. 



My two other ephippigers, stung by the Sphex, 

 were kept in darkness with food. To feed inert 

 creatures, differing only from dead bodies by the 

 perpetual oscillation of their long antennae, seems at 

 first an impossibility; however, the play of the mouth 

 organs gave me some hope, and I made the attempt. 

 My success surpassed my expectations. There was 

 no question, of course, of offering them a lettuce leaf 

 or any other green thing on which they might have 

 browsed in their normal condition ; they were feeble 

 invalids, to be nourished with a feeding-cup, so to 

 say, and broth. I used sugar and water. 



The insect being laid on its back, I put a drop of 

 sugared liquid on its mouth with a straw. Instantly 

 the palpi stirred, mandibles and jaws moved ; the 

 drop was consumed with evident satisfaction, especi- 

 ally if the fast had been somewhat prolonged. I 

 renewed the dose till it was refused. The repast 

 took place once or twice a day at irregular intervals, 

 as I could not devote myself very much to a hospital 

 of this kind. 



Well, with this meagre diet one of the ephippigers 

 lived twenty-one days. This was little longer than 

 the life of the one which I allowed to die of 

 inanition. It is true that twice the insect had had 

 a bad fall, having dropped from the experiment table 

 to the floor through some awkwardness of mine. 



