A Dangerous Diet 



ture is jeopardized if it gives a single ill- 

 judged bite. If it gnaws at the spot where 

 I myself operated with my needle wrought 

 into a scalpel, its victuals will very soon turn 

 putrid. Once more, then, we witness an 

 absolute refusal to perforate the skin of 

 the victim elsewhere than at the very point 

 where the egg was fixed. 



The mother selects this point, which is un- 

 doubtedly that most favourable to the future 

 prosperity of the larva, though I am not 

 able clearly to discern the reasons for her 

 choice; she fixes the egg to it; and the place 

 where the opening is to be made is hence- 

 forth determined. It is here that the grub 

 must bite: only here, never elsewhere. Its 

 invincible refusal to tackle the Cetonia in any 

 other part, even though it should die of 

 starvation, shews us how rigorous is the rule 

 of conduct with which its instinct is inspired. 



As it gropes about, the grub laid on the 

 victim's ventral surface sooner or later re- 

 discovers the gaping wound from which I 

 have removed it. If this takes too long for 

 my patience, I can myself guide its head to 

 the place with the point of a paint-brush. 

 The grub then recognizes the hole of its own 

 making, slips its neck into it and little by 

 little dives into the Cetonia's belly, so that 

 67 



