More Hunting Wasps 



upon the Bee? The action of the Philan- 

 thus is explained by her passion for honey; 

 hence the murders committed in excess of 

 the needs of her family. The Scolia leaves 

 us perplexed: she takes nothing from the 

 Cetonla-grub, which is left without an egg; 

 she stabs, though well aware of the useless- 

 ness of her action: the heap of mould is 

 lacking and it is not her custom to transport 

 her prey. The other prisoners, once the 

 blow is struck, at least seek to escape with 

 their capture between their legs; the Scolia 

 attempts nothing. 



After due reflection, I lump together in 

 my suspicions all these surgeons and ask 

 myself whether they possess the slightest 

 foresight, where the egg is concerned. 

 When, exhausted by their burden, they 

 recognize the impossibility of escape, the 

 more expert among them ought not to begin 

 all over again; yet they do so begin a few 

 minutes later. These wonderful anatomists 

 know absolutely nothing about anything, they 

 do not even know what their victims are 

 good for. Admirable artists in killing and 

 paralysis, they kill or paralyse at every fa- 

 vourable opportunity, no matter what the 

 final result as regards the egg. Their 

 talent, which leaves our science speechless, 

 314 



