The Mason- Wasps 



spite this resemblance, if she rashly ven- 

 ture on the combs, she is stabbed and slain. 

 Her yellow sashes, her slender abdomen de- 

 ceive nobody. The stranger is recognized 

 behind the features of a double. 



My experiments under wire-gauze, which 

 vary according to the captures which I hap- 

 pen to make, all lead me to this conclusion: 

 so long as there is mere propinquity, even 

 around the honey, the other prisoners are 

 tolerated fairly well; but, if they touch the 

 cells, they are assaulted and often killed, 

 without distinction of shape or costume. 

 The grubs' dormitory is the sanctum sanc- 

 torum which no outsider must enter under 

 pain of death. 



With these caged captives I experiment by 

 daylight, whereas the free Wasps work in the 

 absolute darkness of their crypt. Where 

 light is absent, colour goes for nothing. 

 Once, therefore, that she has entered the 

 cavern, the Volucella derives no benefit from 

 her yellow bands, which are supposed to be 

 her safeguard. Whether garbed as she is or 

 otherwise, it is easy for her to effect her pur- 

 pose in the dark, on condition that she avoid 

 the tumultuous interior of the Wasps'-nest. 

 So long as she has the prudence not to 

 hustle the passers-by, she can dab her eggs, 

 296 



