FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



numjer of survivors. The question is how to intro- 

 duce it into the cavity containing the Wasp's nest. A 

 vestibule, or entrance-passage, about nine inches long, 

 and very nearly horizontal, leads to the underground 

 cells. To pour the petrol straight into the mouths of 

 this tunnel would be a blunder that might have serious 

 consequences later on. For so small a quantity of petrol 

 would be absorbed by the soil and would never reach 

 the nest; and next day, when we might think we were 

 digging safely, we should find an infuriated swarm 

 under the spade. 



' The bit of reed prevents this mishap. When in- 

 serted into the passage it forms a water-tight funnel, 

 and carries the petrol to the cavern without the loss of 

 a drop, and as quickly as possible. Then we fix the 

 lump of kneaded clay into the entrance-hole, like a 

 stopper. We have nothing to do now but wait. 



When we are going to perform this operation Paul 

 and I set out, carrying a lantern and a basket with the 

 implements, at nine o'clock on some mild, moonlit 

 evening. While the farm-house Dogs are yelping at 

 each other in the distance, and the Screech Owl is hooting 

 in the olive-trees, and the Italian Crickets are performing 

 their symphony in the bushes, Paul and I chat about 

 insects. He asks questions, eager to learn, and I tell 



[140] 



