CHAPTER II 



THE ODYNERI 



'T^HE Eumenes' suspension-cord and as- 

 -*• cending-sheath are rendered necessary 

 by the large number and the incomplete 

 paralysis of the caterpillars provided for 

 the larva ; the object of the ingenious system 

 is to avert danger. This, at least, is how I 

 regard the concatenation of causes and ef- 

 fects. But I yield to no one in my distrust 

 of whys and wherefores; I know how slip- 

 pery our footing becomes when we venture 

 on interpretations; and, before declaring the 

 reasons of any fact observed, I seek for a 

 batch of proofs. If the singular Installa- 

 tion of the Eumenes' egg is really due to the 

 reasons suggested, then, wherever we find 

 similar conditions of danger, namely, a 

 multiplicity of dishes combined with incom- 

 plete torpor, we must also find a similar 

 method of protection, or some other method 

 having an equivalent effect. The repeti- 

 tion of the act will bear witness to the cor- 

 rectness of ■ the interpretation; and, if it is 

 not reproduced elsewhere, with such varia- 

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