More Hunting Wasps 



slant into her captive's head. Suppose the 

 two insects to be gripping each other in the 

 reverse attitude, imagine the dirk to slant 

 slightly in the opposite direction; the results 

 would be absolutely different and the sting, 

 driven downwards, would pierce the first 

 thoracic ganglion and produce merely par- 

 tial paralysis. What skill, to sacrifice a 

 wretched Bee ! In what fencing-school was 

 the slayer taught her terrible upward blow 

 under the chin? 



If she learnt it, how is it that her victim, 

 such a past mistress in architecture, such an 

 adept in socialistic polity, has so far learnt 

 no corresponding trick to serve in her own 

 defence? She is as powerful as her execu- 

 tioner; like the other, she carries a rapier, 

 an even more formidable one and more pain- 

 ful, at least to my fingers. For centuries 

 and centuries the Philanthus ha's been stor- 

 ing her away in her cellars; and the poor 

 innocent meekly submits, without being 

 taught by the annual extermination of her 

 race how to deliver herself from the ag- 

 gressor by a well-aimed thrust. I despair 

 of ever understanding how the assailant has 

 acquired her talent for inflicting sudden 

 death, when the assailed, who is better-armed 

 and quite as strong, wields her dagger any- 

 252 



