The Method of the Calicurgi 



the most formidable of all; then, to safe- 

 guard the larva, a second stab in the nerve- 

 centres of the thorax, to suppress the power 

 of movement. I certainly suspected that the 

 slayers of robust Spiders were endowed with 

 special talents; but I was far from expecting 

 their bold logic, which disarms before it 

 paralyses. So the Tarantula-huntress must 

 behave, who, under my bell-glasses, refused 

 to surrender her secret. I now know what 

 her method is; it has been divulged by a col- 

 league. She throws the terrible Lycosa 

 upon her back, pricks her prickers by sting- 

 ing her in the mouth and then, in comfort, 

 with a single thrust of the lancet, obtains 

 paralysis of the legs. 



I examine the Epeira immediately after 

 the operation and the Tarantula when the 

 Calicurgus is dragging her by one leg to her 

 burrow, at the foot of some wall. For a 

 little while longer, a minute at most, the 

 Epeira convulsively moves her legs. So 

 long as these throes continue, the Pompilus 

 does not release her prey. She seems to 

 watch the progress of the paralysis. With 

 the tips of her mandibles she explores the 

 Spider's mouth several times over, as though 

 to ascertain if the poison-fangs are really 

 innocuous. When all movement subsides, 

 3Z7 



