The Harmas 



miles' distance: each time, it meant an ex- 

 pedition under the blazing August sun. To- 

 day, I find her at my door; we are intimate 

 neighbours. The embrasure of the closed wind- 

 ow provides an apartment of a mild temper- 

 ature for the Pelopaeus/ The earth-built nest 

 is fixed against the freestone wall. To enter 

 her home, the Spider-huntress uses a little hole 

 left open by accident in the shutters. On 

 the mouldings of the Venetian blinds, a few 

 stray Mason-bees build their group of cells; in- 

 side the outer shutters, left ajar, a Eumenes' 

 constructs her little earthen dome, surmounted 

 by a short, bell-mouthed neck. The common 

 Wasp and the Polistes^ are my dinner-guests : 

 they visit my table to see if the grapes served 

 are as ripe as they look. 



Here, surely — and the list Is far from com- 

 plete — Is a company both numerous and select, 

 whose conversation will not fail to charm 

 my solitude, if I succeed in drawing it out. 

 My dear beasts of former days, my old friends, 

 and others, more recent acquaintances, all are 

 here, hunting, foraging, building In close prox- 

 imity. Besides, should we wish to vary the 



'A species of Mason-wasp. — Translator's Note. 

 *A species of Mason-wasp. — Translator's Note. 

 'A species of Solitary Wasp. — Translator's Note. 

 25 



