WASPS, SOCIAL AND SOLITARY 



dibles, — trying to run backward, because it is the rule 

 with this genus to move in that way when encumbered 

 with a load, it being easier to drag a heavy spider than 

 to pick it up and go forward. The wasp in question 

 was drawn in two directions. Instinct made her go 

 backward, although in this particular case it was need- 

 less, while she felt a constant desire to turn and go 

 straight ahead. As a result she waltzed slowly over the 

 sand in a series of overlapping circles, her head turned 

 toward every point of the compass in succession, a kind 

 of progress most amusing to the lookers-on. 



Biguttatus is not strong enough to fly when laden, 

 but it is the habit of the species to climb backwards to 

 the top of every obstacle in the path, and from this 

 vantage point to gain time by taking a downward flight 

 in the direction of the nest. It is only in the case of 

 tall, smooth-stemmed plants and grasses that the ad- 

 vantage gained is enough to repay the trouble of climbing, 

 and we have often thought that the notion costs the wasp 

 more trouble than it is worth, — as was certainly the case 

 with one comical little creature that carried the idea to 

 the extreme of folly. Not only did she scale objects in 

 her way, but just as old Dr. Johnson felt that he had 

 to touch every tree and post as he walked along, so 

 when this wasp saw, out of the corner of her eye, a 



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