The Mason-Wasps 



beneath the dome of E. Amadei and E. 

 pomiformis. I work with the greatest 

 care, so as not to injure the recluse. I used 

 to attack the cupola from the top; I now 

 attack it from the side. I stop when the 

 breach is large enough to allow me to see 

 the state of things within. 



What is this state of things? I pause to 

 give the reader time to reflect and to think 

 out for himself a means of safety that will 

 protect the egg and afterwards the grub in 

 the perilous conditions which I have set 

 forth. Seek, think and contrive, such of 

 you as have inventive minds. Have you 

 guessed it? Do you give it up? I may as 

 well tell you. 



The egg is not laid upon the provisions; 

 it hangs from the top of the cupola by a 

 thread which vies with that of a Spider's 

 web for slenderness. The dainty cylinder 

 quivers and swings at the least breath; it 

 reminds me of the famous pendulum hung 

 from the dome of the Pantheon to prove 

 the rotation of the earth. The victuals are 

 heaped up underneath. 



Second act of this wondrous spectacle. 



In order to witness it, we must open a 



window in cell after cell until fortune deigns 



to smile upon us. The larva is hatched and 



24 



