Parasites 



where not one of the tumultuous swarm, ex- 

 cept the proprietress, dreams of taking a 

 mouthful of honey. It is as though there 

 were a neighbourly understanding to respect 

 the others' rights. Moreover, if some heed- 

 less one mistakes her cell and as much as 

 alights on the rim of a cup that does not be- 

 long to her, forthwith the owner appears, 

 admonishes her severely and soon calls her 

 to order. But, if the store of honey is the 

 estate of some deceased Bee, or of some wan- 

 derer unduly prolonging her absence, then — 

 and then alone — a kinswoman seizes upon It. 

 The goods were waste property, which she 

 turns to account; and it is a very proper 

 economy. The other Bees and Wasps be- 

 have likewise: never, I say never, do we find 

 among them an idler assiduously planning the 

 conquest of her neighbour's possessions. No 

 insect is a parasite on its own species. 



What then is parasitism, if one must look 

 for it among animals of different races? Life 

 in general is but a vast brigandage. Nature 

 devours herself; matter is kept alive by pass- 

 ing from one stomach Into another. At the 

 banquet of life, each is In turn the guest and 

 the dish ; the eater of to-day becomes the eaten 

 215 



