A BEE-HUNTER 157 



defence are of equal significance in the struggle for life. 

 Among the theorists of our day, is there any so far- 

 sighted as to be able to solve this enigma ? 



I will take this opportunity of presenting a second 

 point which embarrasses me; it is the carelessness — it 

 is worse than that — the imbecility of the bee in the 

 presence of the Philanthus. One would naturally 

 suppose that the persecuted insect, gradually instructed 

 by family misfortune, would exhibit anxiety at the ap- 

 proach of the ravisher, and would at least try to escape. 

 But in my bell-glasses or wire-gauze cages I see nothing 

 of the kind. Once the first excitement due to imprison- 

 ment has passed the bee takes next to no notice of its 

 terrible neighbour. I have seen it side by side with 

 Philanthus on the same flower; assassin and future victim 

 were drinking from the same goblet. I have seen it 

 stupidly coming to inquire what the stranger might be, 

 as the latter crouched watching on the floor. When the 

 murderer springs it is usually upon some bee which 

 passes before her, and throws itself, so to speak, into her 

 clutches ; either thoughtlessly or out of curiosity. There 

 is no frantic terror, no sign of anxiety, no tendency to 

 escape. How is it that the experience of centuries, 

 which is said to teach so much to the lower creatures, 

 has not taught the bee even the beginning of apine 

 wisdom : a deep-rooted horror of the Philanthus ? Does 

 the bee count upon its sting ? But the unhappy creature 

 is no fencer ; it thrusts without method, at random. 

 Nevertheless, let us watch it at the final and fata 

 moment. 



When the ravisher brings her sting into play the bee 

 also uses its sting, and with fury. I see the point thrust- 



