The Mason-bees 



we are told, thought out a plan for gulling 

 his enemies by identifying himself in colour 

 with the grass in which he dwells, whereas the 

 Wasp, so rich in instinct and strategy, allowed 

 herself to be distanced in the race by the dull- 

 witted Locust ! Rather than adapt herself as 

 the other does, she persists in her incredible 

 splendour, which betrays her from afar to 

 every insect-eater and in particular to the little 

 Grey Lizard, who lies hungrily in wait for her 

 on the old sun-tapestried walls. She remains 

 ruby, emerald and turquoise amidst her grey 

 environment; and her race thrives none the 

 worse. 



The enemy that eats you is not the only one 

 to be deceived; mimesis must also play its 

 colour-tricks on him whom you have to eat. 

 See the Tiger in his jungle, see the Praying 

 Mantis on her green branch.^ Astute mimicry 

 is even more necessary when the one to be 

 duped is an amphytrion at whose cost the 

 parasite's family is to be established. The 

 Tachlnae seem to declare as much: they are 

 grey or greyish, of a colour as undecided as 



^For the Praying Mantis, cf. Social Life in the Insect 

 World, by J. H. Fabre, translated by Bernard Miall: 

 chaps. V to vii. — Translator's Note. 



204 



