The Method of the Scoliae 



noeuvres executed underground escaped the 

 eye, as it seemed to me that they must al- 

 ways do. How indeed could I hope that a 

 creature whose art is practised in the dark- 

 ness of a heap of mould would decide to 

 work in broad daylight? I did not reckon 

 upon it all. Nevertheless, to salve my con- 

 science, I tried bringing the Scolia into con- 

 tact with her prey under the bell-glass. I 

 was well-advised to do so, for my success 

 was in inverse ratio to my hopes. Next to 

 the Philanthus, none of the Hunting Wasps 

 displayed such ardour in attacking under art- 

 ificial conditions. All the insects experi- 

 mented upon, some sooner, some later, re- 

 warded me for my patience. Let us watch 

 the Two-handed Scolia {S. bifasctata, VAN 

 DER LIND) operating on her Cetonia grub. 

 The incarcerated larva strives to escape 

 its terrible neighbour. Lying on its back, it 

 fiercely wends its way round and round the 

 glass circus. Presently the Scolia's attention 

 awakens and is betrayed by a continued tap- 

 ping with the tips of the antennae upon the 

 table, which now represents the accustomed 

 soil. The Wasp attacks the game, deliver- 

 ing her assault upon the monster's hinder 

 end. She climbs upon the Cetonia-grub, ob- 

 taining a purchase with the tip of her abdo- 

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