More Hunting Wasps 



be there, stabbing her in the throat. What 

 then is the method which she employs against 

 the Segestria, always on the alert, ready for 

 defence, audacious to the point of aggres- 

 sion? Shall I surprise the reader if I tell 

 him that this problem filled me with the most 

 eager interest, that it held me for weeks in 

 contemplation before that cheerless wall? 

 Nevertheless, my tale will be a short one. 



On several occasions I see the Pompilus 

 suddenly fling herself on one of the Spider's 

 legs, seize it with her mandibles and en- 

 deavour to draw the animal from its tube. 

 It is a sudden rush, a surprise attack, too 

 quick to permit the Spider to parry it. For- 

 tunately, the latter's two hind-legs are firmly 

 hooked to the dwelling; and the Segestria 

 escapes with a jerk, for the other, having de- 

 livered her shock attack, hastens to release 

 her hold; if she persisted, the affair might 

 end badly for her. Having failed in this as- 

 sault, the Wasp repeats the procedure at 

 other funnels; she will even return to the first 

 when the alarm is somewhat assuaged. Still 

 hopping and fluttering, she prowls around 

 the mouth, whence the Segestria watches her, 

 with her legs outspread. She waits for the 

 propitious moment; she leaps forward, 

 seizes a leg, tugs at it and springs out of 

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