The Mason-Wasps 



bard, as a refuge Into which the larva can 

 retire; it is rather an anchor-chain, which 

 gives it a purchase on the ceiling and 

 enables it to protect itself by shrinking to a 

 safe distance from the heap of victuals. 

 When things are quiet, the larva lengthens 

 out and returns to its grub. Thus do mat- 

 ters happen at the start, according to my 

 observations, of which some were made at 

 home, in my rearing-jars, and others on the 

 spot, when I unearthed cells containing a 

 larva young enough for my purpose. 



The first grub is devoured in twenty-four 

 hours. The larva thereupon, so it seemed, 

 goes through a moult. For at least some 

 time it remains inactive and contracted; 

 then it releases itself from the cord. It is 

 now free, in contact with the heap of grubs 

 and henceforth unable to step out of the 

 way. The life-line has not lasted long; it 

 protected the egg and safeguarded its hatch- 

 ing; but the larva is still very weak and the 

 peril has not diminished. This means that 

 we shall discover other means of protection. 



By a very strange exception, whereof so 

 far I know no other instance, the egg is laid 

 before the provisions are stored. I have 

 seen cells which as yet contained absolutely 

 nothing in the way of victuals and which 

 so 



