THE HALICTI 203 



A tap on the Gnat's neck if she become too enterprising 

 in the neighbourhood of the cake : that is all that the lady 

 of the house seems to allow herself, to drive away the 

 intruder. There is no serious afifray between the robber 

 and the robbed. This is apparent from the bold and 

 undamaged aspect of the dwarf who returns from visit- 

 ing the giantess engaged down in the burrow. 



The Bee, when she comes home, whether laden with 

 provisions or not, hesitates for a while ; in a series of rapid 

 zigzags, she moves backwards and forwards, to and fro, 

 at a short distance from the ground. This intricate 

 flight at first suggests the idea that the Hymenopteron is 

 trying to lead her persecutress astray by means of an 

 inextricable net- work of marches and counter-marches. 

 That would certainly be a prudent move on her part ; but 

 so much wisdom appears to be denied her. 



Her perturbation does not concern the enemy, but 

 rather the difficulty of finding her dwelling, amid the con- 

 fusion of the mole-hills encroaching one upon the other 

 and the disorder of the lanes of the hamlet, which, 

 owing to landslips of fresh rubbish, alter in appearance 

 from one day to the next. Her hesitation is manifest, 

 for she often blunders and alights at the entrance to a 

 burrow that is not hers. The mistake is at once perceived 

 from the petty details of the doorway. 



The investigation is resumed with the same flight in 

 swing-like curves, intermingled with sudden excursions 

 to a distance. At last, the burrow is recognized. The 

 Halictus dives into it with a rush ; but, however prompt 

 her disappearance underground, the Gnat is there, perched 

 on the threshold, with her eyes turned to the entrance, 

 waiting for the Bee to come out, so that she may visit 

 the honey-jars in her turn. 



