The Method of the Calicurgi 



rapid exchange of fisticuffs; and the Epeira 

 lies overturned on her back. The Pompilus 

 is on top of her, belly to belly, head to 

 head; with her legs she masters the Spider's 

 legs; with her mandibles she grips the 

 cephalothorax. She curves her abdomen, 

 bringing the tip of it beneath her; she draws 

 her sting and . . . 



One moment, reader, if you please. 

 Where Is the sting about to strike? From 

 what we have learnt from the other para- 

 lysers, it will be driven into the breast, to 

 suppress the movement of the legs. That is 

 your opinion; it was also mine. Well, with- 

 out blushing too deeply at our common and 

 very excusable error, let us confess that the 

 insect knows better than we do. It knows 

 how to assure success by a preparatory 

 manoeuvre of which you and I had never 

 dreamt. Ah, what a school is that of the 

 animals ! Is it not true that, before striking 

 the adversary, you should take care not to 

 get wounded yourself? The Harlequin 

 Pompilus does not disregard this counsel of 

 prudence. The Epeira carries beneath her 

 throat two sharp daggers, with a drop of 

 poison at their points; the Calicurgus is lost 

 if the Spider bites her. Nevertheless, her 

 anaesthetizing demands perfect steadiness of 

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