CHAPTER XII 



THE METHOD OF THE SCOLI^ 



A FTER the Ammophilae, the paralysers 

 "^ ^ who multiply their lancet-thrusts to de- 

 stroy the influence of the various nerve-cen- 

 tres, excepting those of the head, it seemed 

 advisable to interrogate other insects which 

 also are accustomed to a naked prey, vulner- 

 able at all points save the head, but which 

 deliver only a single thrust of the sting. Of 

 these two conditions the Scoliae fulfilled one, 

 with their regular quarry, the tender Ce- 

 tonia-, Oryctes- or Anoxia-larva, according 

 to the Scolia's species. Did they fulfil the 

 second? I was convinced beforehand that 

 they did. From the anatomy of the victims, 

 with their concentrated nervous system, I 

 foresaw, when compiling my history of the 

 Scoliae, that the sting would be unsheathed 

 once only; I even mentioned the exact spot 

 into which the weapon would be plunged. 



These were assertions dictated by the an- 

 atomist's scalpel, without the slightest direct 

 proof derived from observed facts. Ma- 

 308 



