The Pompili 



apicalis. Without expecting results of any 

 particular interest, for in captivity the re- 

 spective talents of the huntress and the 

 quarry seem to slumber, I place together, in 

 a wide jar, a Wasp and a Segestria. The 

 Spider and her enemy mutually avoid each 

 other, both being equally timid. A judicious 

 shake or two brings them into contact. The 

 Segestria, from time to time, catches hold 

 of the Pompilus, who gathers herself up as 

 best she can, without attempting to use her 

 sting; the Spider rolls the insect between her 

 legs and even between her mandibles, but 

 appears to dislike doing it. Once I see her 

 lie on her back and hold the Pompilus above 

 her, as far away as possible, while turning 

 her over in her fore-legs and munching at 

 her with her mandibles. The Wasp, 

 whether by her own adroitness or owing to 

 the Spider's dread of her, promptly escapes 

 from the terrible fangs, moves to a short 

 distance and does not seem to trouble un- 

 duly about the buffeting which she has re- 

 ceived. She quietly polishes her wings and 

 curls her antennae by pulling them while 

 standing on them with her fore-tarsi. The 

 attack of the Segestria, stimulated by my 

 shakes, is repeated ten times over; and the 

 Pompilus always escapes from the venomous 

 23 



