NOTES BY THE WAY 



doubtless in the clutches of this arch enemy. A 

 number of locusts usually passed the night on the 

 under side of a large limb of a mulberry-tree near 

 by: early one morning a hornet was seen to pounce 

 suddenly upon one and drag it over on the top 

 of the limb; a struggle ensued, but the locust was 

 soon quieted and carried off. It is said that the 

 hornet does not sting the insect in a vital part, 

 for in that case it would not keep fresh for its 

 young, but introduces its poison into certain ner- 

 vous ganglia, the injury to which has the effect of 

 paralyzing the victim and making it incapable of 

 motion, though life remains for some time. 



My friend Van, who watched the hornets in my 

 absence, saw a fierce battle one day over the right 

 of possession of one of the dens. An angry, hum- 

 ming sound was heard to proceed from one of the 

 holes ; gradually it approached the surface, until 

 the hornets emerged locked in each other's embrace, 

 and rolled down the little embankment, where the 

 combat was continued. Finally, one released his 

 hold and took up his position in the mouth of his 

 den (of course I should say she and her, as these 

 were the queen hornets), where she seemed to chal- 

 lenge her antagonist to come on. The other one 

 manoeuvred about awhile, but could not draw her 

 enemy out of her stronghold ; then she clambered 

 up the bank and began to bite and tear off bits of 

 grass, and to loosen gravel-stones and earth, and 

 133 



