SEQUELS 279 



deep in the nest, but the fifty-odd wasps in sight 

 kept perfect time, or occasionally an individual 

 skipped one or two beats, coming in regularly 

 on every alternate or every third beat. Where 

 they were two or three deep, the uppermost 

 wasps struck the insects below them with their 

 abdomens in perfect rhythm with the nest beat. 

 For half an hour the sound continued, then died 

 down and was not heard again. The wasps dis- 

 persed during the night and the nest was de- 

 serted. 



It reminded me of the telegraphing ants which 

 I have often heard in Borneo, a remarkable 

 sweeping roll, caused by the host of insects strik- 

 ing the leaves with their heads, and produced 

 only when they are disturbed. It appeared to 

 be of the nature of a warning signal, giving me 

 opportunity to back away from the stinging le- 

 gions which filled the thicket against which I 

 pushed. 



The rhythm of these wasps was very different. 

 They were peaceable, not even resenting the dev- 

 astation of their home, but always and always 

 must the inexplicable beat, beat, beat, be kept up, 

 serving some purpose quite hidden from me. 

 During succeeding months I found two more 



