Pairing and Hunting 287 



Cetonia- and Oryctes-grubs. Even so the other 

 paralyzers. Each has her own victim and 

 knows nothing of any of the others. 



The same exclusive tastes prevail among the 

 slayers. Let us remember, in this connection, 

 Philanthus apivorus ^ and, especially, the 

 Thomisus, the comely Spider who cuts Bees' 

 throats. They understand the fatal blow, 

 either in the neck or under the chin, a thing 

 which the Epeira does not understand ; but, 

 just because of this talent, they are specialists. 

 Their province is the Domestic Bee. 



Animals are a little like ourselves : they 

 excel in an art only on condition of specializing 

 in it. The Epeira, who, being omnivorous, is 

 obliged to generaUze, abandons scientific 

 methods and makes up for this by distilling a 

 poison capable of producing torpor and even 

 death, no matter what the point attacked. 



Recognizing the large variety of game, we 

 wonder how the Epeira manages not to 

 hesitate amid those many diverse forms, how, 



^ Cf. Social Life in the Insect World, by J. H. Fabre, translated 

 by Bernard Miall : chap, xiii., in which the name is given, by a 

 printer's error, as Philanthus aviporus. — Translator's Note. 



