The Method of the Scoliae 



The contest is conducted calmly, without vio- 

 lent bouts at each varying accident. It is 

 the determined attempt of a living split ring 

 trying to slip one of its ends into another 

 living spHt ring, which with equal determina- 

 tion refuses to open. The Scolia holds the 

 victim subdued with her legs and mandibles; 

 she tries one side, then the other, without 

 managing to unroll the circle, which con- 

 tracts still more as it feels its danger in- 

 creasing. The actual circumstances make 

 the operation more difficult: the prey slips 

 and rolls about the table when the insect 

 handles it too violently; there are no points 

 of purchase and the sting cannot reach the 

 desired spot; the fruitless efforts are con- 

 tinued for more than an hour, interrupted 

 by periods of rest, during which the two ad- 

 versaries represent two narrow, interlocked 

 rings. 



What ought the powerful Cetonia-grub to 

 do to defy the Two-banded Scolia, who is 

 far less vigorous than her victim? It 

 should imitate the Anoxia-larva and remain 

 rolled up like a Hedgehog until the enemy 

 retires. It tries to escape, unrolls itself and 

 is lost. The other does not stir from its 

 posture of defence and resists successfully. 

 Is this due to acquired caution? No, but to 

 319 



