The Method of the Ammophilae 



rear, in order to bring the segment to be 

 paralysed within reach of the needle. For 

 the second time, the caterpillar is released. 

 It is absolutely inert, except the mandibles, 

 which are still capable of biting. 



Third act. — The Ammophila clasps the 

 paralysed victim between her legs; with the 

 hooks of her mandibles she seizes the back 

 of its neck, at the base of the first thoracic 

 segment. For nearly ten minutes she 

 munches this weak spot, which lies close to 

 the cerebral nerve-centres. The pincers 

 squeeze suddenly but at intervals and me- 

 thodically, as though the manipulator wished 

 each time to judge of the effect produced; 

 the squeezes are repeated until I am tired 

 of trying to count them. When they cease, 

 the caterpillar's mandibles are motionless. 

 Then comes the transportation of the car- 

 case, a detail which is not relevant in this 

 place. 



I have set forth the complete tragedy, as 

 it is fairly often enacted, but not always. 

 The insect is not a machine, unvarying in the 

 effect of its mechanism; it is allowed a cert- 

 ain latitude, enabling it to cope with the 

 eventualities of the moment. Any one ex- 

 pecting to see the incidents of the struggle 

 297 



