The Primary Larva of the Sitares 



save the tiny creature, at the least sign of 

 danger, from an imminent fall; we realize 

 lastly the useful function that may be fulfilled 

 by the elastic cirri of the flanks and legs, 

 which are an absolute and most embarrassing 

 superfluity when walking upon a smooth sur- 

 face, but which, in the present case, penetrate 

 like so many probes into the thickness of the 

 Anthophora's down and serve as it were to 

 anchor the Sitaris-larva in position. The 

 more we consider this arrangement, which 

 seems modelled by a blind caprice so long 

 as the grub drags itself laboriously over a 

 smooth surface, the more do we marvel at 

 the means, as effective as they are varied, 

 which are lavished upon this fragile creature 

 to help it to preserve its unstable equi- 

 librium. 



Before I describe what becomes of the 

 Sitaris-grubs on leaving the body of the An- 

 thophorae, I must not omit to mention one 

 very remarkable peculiarity. All the Bees 

 invaded by these grubs that have hitherto 

 been observed have, without one exception, 

 been male Anthophorae. Those whom I 

 drew from their lurking-places were males; 

 those whom I caught upon the flowers were 

 males; and, in spite of the most active search, 

 I failed to find a single female at liberty. 

 63, 



