The Hunting Wasps 



In all, its repast has lasted from ten to 

 twelve days without cessation. At this 

 period, the larva's length measures from 

 twenty-five to thirty millimetres ^ and its 

 greatest breadth from five to six.^ Its gen- 

 eral outline, spreading a little at the back and 

 gradually tapering in front, conforms with 

 the usual type of Hymenopteron-grubs. Its 

 segments are fourteen in number, including 

 the head, which is very small and armed with 

 weak mandibles that would appear unequal to 

 the part which they have just played. Of 

 these fourteen segments, the middle ones are 

 supplied with stigmata, or breathing-holes. 

 Its livery consists of a yellowish-white 

 ground, studded with innumerable dots of a 

 chalky white. 



We have seen the larva begin its second 

 Cricket with the belly, the juiciest and softest 

 part. Like a child, which first licks the jam 

 off its bread and then bites into the crumb 

 with a disdainful tooth, the larva makes 

 straight for the best part, the abdominal 

 viscera, and leaves until later the meat that 

 has to be patiently extracted from its horny 

 sheath: a task for a leisure hour, when it 



1.97s to 1. 17 inch. — Translator's Note, 

 2.195 to .234 inch. — Translator's Note, 



98 



