AN INSECT DUEL. 113 



The warrior wasp lias also been making his 

 expeditions for prey abroad, when suddenly his 

 eager eye catches sight of the kakerlac hastening 

 to some new scene of depredation. The warrior 

 instantly alights, and the kakerlac stops, think- 

 ing perhaps to intimidate its adversary by its size 

 and ferocious aspect. Both insects glare at one 

 another ; 



' each other from afar 



They view, and rushing on, begin the war. 

 They launch their spears ; then hand to hand they meet, 

 The trembling soil resounds beneath their feet ; 

 Their bucklers clash, thick blows descend from high, 

 And flashes of fire from their hard helmets fly. 

 Courage conspires with chance, and both engage 

 With equal fortune yet, and mutual rage." 



Virgil's description, though scarcely accurate in 

 all points, gives us a lively image of this insect 

 combat. The kakerlac, however, is the Turnus, 

 and the warrior wasp the ^Eneas of the fight. The 

 wasp is the first to attack, and darts upon the 

 other, seizing it by the muzzle with its strong 

 jaws, then bending its body so as to bring its tail 

 under the abdomen of the kakerlac, the lance 

 with its charge of poison is deep-plunged into the 

 body of the unhappy foe, imbuing a deadly venom 

 into its system. Having made this thrust, the 



