The Method of the Ammophilae 



today. The " almost " Is Impracticable when 

 the future of the race Is at stake. What 

 would have become of the first-born mammal 

 but for Its perfect Instinct of suckling? 



And then, to suppose the Impossible: a 

 Wasp discovers by chance the operative me- 

 thod which will be the saving attribute of 

 her race. How are we to admit that this 

 fortuitous act, to which the mother has 

 vouchsafed no more attention than to her 

 other less fortunate attempts, could leave a 

 profound trace behind It and be faithfully 

 transmitted by heredity? Is it not going 

 beyond reason, going beyond the little that 

 is known to us as certain, If we grant to 

 atavism this strange power, of which our 

 present world knows no instance? There 

 Is a good deal to be said for this point of 

 view, my revered master! But, once more, 

 arguments are here out of place; there Is 

 room only for facts, of which I will resume 

 the recital. 



Hitherto I had but one means of study- 

 ing the operative methods of the spoilers: 

 to surprise the Wasp in possession of her 

 capture, to rob her of her prey and imme- 

 diately to give her in exchange a similar 

 prey, but a living one. This method of sub- 

 stitution is an excellent expedient. Its only 



