158 SOCIAL LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD 



ing now in this direction, now in that ; but in empty 

 air, or grazing and slipping over the convexity of the 

 murderer's back, which is violently flexed. These blows 

 have no serious results. In the position assumed by the 

 two as they struggle the abdomen of the Philanthus is 

 inside and that of the bee outside ; thus the sting of the 

 latter has under its point only the dorsal face of the enemy, 

 which is convex and slippery, and almost invulnerable, 

 so well is it armoured. There is no breach there by 

 which the sting might possibly enter ; and the operation 

 takes place with the certainty of a skilful surgeon using 

 the lancet, despite the indignant protests of the patient. 



The fatal stroke once delivered, the murderer remains 

 for some time on the body of the victim, clasping it face 

 to face, for reasons that we must now consider. It may 

 be that the position is perilous for Philanthus. The 

 posture of attack and self-protection is abandoned, and 

 the ventral area, more vulnerable than the back, is exposed 

 to the sting of the bee. Now the dead bee retains for 

 some minutes the reflex use of the sting, as I know to my 

 cost : for removing the bee too soon from the aggressor, 

 and handling it carelessly, I have received a most 

 effectual sting. In her long embrace of the poisoned 

 bee, how does Philanthus avoid this sting, which does 

 not willingly give up its life without vengeance ? Are 

 there not sometimes unexpected accidents? Perhaps. 



Here is a fact which encourages me in this belief. I 

 had placed under the bell-glass at the same time four 

 bees and as many Eristales, in order to judge of the 

 entomological knowledge of Philanthus as exemplified 

 in the distinction of species. Reciprocal quarrels broke 

 out among the heterogeneous group. Suddenly, in the 



