The Hairy Ammophila 



ter, he has known all about It for some time. 

 I have talked to him of my little creatures 

 and the caterpillars which they hunt; he has 

 a general knowledge of the habits of the in- 

 sect which I am studying. He understands 

 at once and goes in search. He digs at the 

 foot of the lettuces, he scrapes among the 

 strawberry-beds, he inspects the iris-borders. 

 I know his sharp eyes and his intelligence; I 

 have every confidence in him. Meanwhile, 

 time passes. 



"Well, Favier? Where's that Grey 

 Worm?" 



" I can't find one, sir." 



" Bother ! Then come to the rescue, you 

 others! Claire, Aglae, all of you! Hurry 

 up, hunt and find! " 



The whole family Is brought into requisi- 

 tion. All its members display an activity 

 worthy of the serious events at hand. I my- 

 self, chained to my post lest I should lose 

 sight of the Ammophila, keep one eye upon 

 the huntress and with the other watch for 

 Grey Worms. Nothing turns up : three 

 hours pass and not one of us has found the 

 caterpillar. 



The Ammophila does not find It either. I 

 see her hunting with some persistency Ir 

 363 



