The Method of the Scoliae 



larva's hinder end. At last after all these 

 fruitless attempts, the Scolla succeeds in 

 achieving the correct position. She is seated 

 athwart the Cetonla-grub ; the mandibles 

 grip a point on the dorsal surface of the 

 thorax; the body, bent into a bow, passes 

 under the larva and with the tip of the belly 

 reaches the region of the neck. The Ce- 

 tonia-grub, placed in serious peril, writhes, 

 coils and uncoils itself, spinning round upon 

 its axis. The Scolla does not interfere. 

 Holding the victim tightly gripped, she turns 

 with it, allows herself to be dragged up- 

 wards, downwards, sidewards, following its 

 contortions. Her obstinacy is such that I 

 can now remove the bell-glass and follow the 

 details of the drama in the open. 



Briefly, in spite of the turmoil, the tip of 

 the abdomen feels that the right spot has 

 been found. Then and only then the sting 

 is unsheathed. It plunges in. The thing Is 

 done. The larva, at first plump and active, 

 suddenly becomes flaccid and inert. It is 

 paralysed. Henceforth there are no move- 

 ments save of the antennae and the mouth- 

 parts, which will for a long time yet bear 

 witness to a remnant of life. The point 

 wounded has never varied in the series of 

 combats under glass: it occupies the middle 



3" 



