V ONE SKILFUL TO SLAY 73 



to paralyse ? That is the question. The lofty 

 science of a Claude Bernard, floating in the funda- 

 mental generalities of organisation and life, is no 

 longer enough for us ; it is unable to inform and 

 guide us in this entomological selection. I appeal 

 to every physiologist under whose eye these lines 

 may fall. Without having recourse to his book- 

 shelves, could he name the Coleoptera where such a 

 nervous centralisation is found, and even with the help 

 of his library, could he instantly lay his hand on the 

 information wanted ? The truth is, we are entering 

 on the minute details of the specialist ; the high- 

 way is quitted for a path known to few. 



I find the necessary documents in the fine work 

 of M. E. Blanchard {Annales des Sciences Naturelles, 

 3 me serie, tome v.) on the nervous system of 

 Coleoptera. There I find that this centralisation 

 of nerve power belongs especially to the Scara- 

 baeus, but most of these are too large ; the Cerceris 

 could neither attack nor carry them away ; besides, 

 many live in filth, where the cleanly Hymenopteron 

 could not go to seek them. Motive centres very 

 close together are also found among the Histers, 

 which live on impurity, amid the smell of decay, 

 and again that will not do ; also in the Scolytus, which 

 is too small, and finally in Buprestids and Weevils. 



What unexpected light amid the pristine obscuri- 

 ties of the problem ! Amid the immense number 

 of the Coleoptera which the Cerceris seem able to 

 prey upon, two groups alone, Weevils and Buprestids, 

 fulfil the indispensable conditions. They live far 

 from decay and dung, which perhaps cause invin- 

 cible repugnance in this dainty Cerceris ; they are 



