II.] 



METAMORPHOSES OF INSECTS. 



45 



anthophora emerge from the pupae sooner than the 

 females, and M. Fabre ascertained that, as they come out 

 of their galleries, the little sitaris larvae fasten upon 

 them. Not, however, for long : instinct teaches them 

 that they are not yet in the straight path of develop- 

 ment ; and, watching their opportunity, they pass from 

 the male to the female bee. Guided by these indica- 

 tions, M. Fabre examined several cells of anthophora ; 

 in some, the egg of the anthophora floated by itself on 

 the surface of the honey : in others, on the egg, as on a 

 raft, sat the still more minute larva of the sitaris. The 

 mystery was solved. At the moment when the egg is 

 laid, the sitaris larva springs upon it. Even while the 

 poor mother is carefully fastening up her cell, her mortal 

 enemy is beginning to devour her offspring ; for the egg 

 of the anthophora serves not only as a raft, but as a 

 repast. The honey, which is enough for either, would 

 be too little for both ; and the sitaris, therefore, at its 

 first meal, relieves itself from its only rival. After eight 

 days the egg is consumed, and on the empty shell the 

 sitaris undergoes its first transformation, and makes its 

 appearance in a very different form. 



The honey, which was fatal before, is now necessary, 

 the activity, which before was necessary, is now useless ; 

 consequently, with the change of skin, the active, slim 

 larva changes into a white, fleshy grub, so organized as 

 to float on the surface of the honey, with the mouth 

 beneath and the spiracles above the surface : " Grace a 

 1'embonpoint du ventre," says M. Fabre, " la larve est & 

 1'abri de 1'asphyxie." In this state it remains until the 

 honey is consumed ; then the animal contracts, and de- 

 taches itself from its skin, within which the further 



