The Life of the Fly 



long hours, It remains motionless In this posi- 

 tion. At every moment, Wasps pass and re- 

 pass close by. Three of them, at one time 

 together, at another separately, come and 

 nibble at the edges of the cell; they break off 

 particles which they reduce to paste for a new- 

 piece of work. The passers-by. Intent upon 

 their business, may not perceive the Intruder; 

 but these three certainly do. During their 

 work of demolition, they touch the grub with 

 their legs, their antennae, their palpi ; and yet 

 none of them minds It. The fat grub, so 

 easily recognized by Its queer figure, Is^left 

 alone ; and this In broad daylight, where every- 

 body can see It. What must It be when the 

 profound darkness of the burrows protects the 

 visitor with Its mysteries ! 



I have been experimenting all along with 

 big Volucella-grubs, coloured with the dirty 

 red which comes with age. What effect will 

 pure white produce? I sprinkle on the sur- 

 face of the combs some larvae that have lately 

 left the egg. The tiny, snow-white grubs make 

 for the nearest cells, go down Into them, come 

 out again and hunt elsewhere. The Wasps 

 peaceably let them go their way, as heedless 

 of the little white Invaders as of the big red 

 ones. Sometimes, when It enters an occupied 

 272 



