136 THE SOLITARY WASPS. 



she would run no more risks. This nest was successfully com- 

 pleted and the spider was stored away without further misad- 

 venture. 



The egg of quinquenotatus can be but lightly attached to the 

 spider, for only once, out of many attempts, did we succeed in 

 getting it out without displacing it. In this case three days 

 elapsed before it hatched. The larva ate for a day or two but 

 then pined away and died. Another nest was opened on the 

 tenth day after the egg was laid, and in this the spider had 

 been entirely eaten and the larva was just spinning its cocoon,, 

 so that the larval stage probably occupies about a week. 



To show as accurately as possible the effect of the sting of 

 quinquenotatus upon her spider, we quote from our notes: 



No. 32. August 6. We brought in three freshly paralyzed speci- 

 mens of E. strix taken from quinquenotatus before they were buried. 

 For purposes of comparison we killed another strix by compressing 

 the head and thorax. We have numbered the spiders 1, 2, 3, and 4, 

 No. 4 being the one that we killed, and have placed them in separate 

 saucers. No. 1 is alive. Nos. 2 and 3 give no response to stimulation 

 and we believe them to be dead. 



August 7. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are all alive. 



August 8. Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are alive and in good condition. 



August 9. The three spiders are alive but look a little shrunken. 

 So far as we can see there is no difference between the abdomens of 

 those stung by the wasps and the one we killed; but the cephalo- 

 thorax of this last was a little broken and hence has become 

 shrunken. 



August 11. Nos. 1 and 2 are still alive. No. 3 is dead and is evi- 

 dently decomposing, since the abdomen is soft and stays indented 

 when touched. This is also true of No. 4. 



August 17. Nos. 1 and 2 are still alive. 



August 19. The spiders are not only alive but are becoming more 

 active. When touched, No. 1 raises the first pair of legs to the pos- 

 ture of attack or defence. It can almost turn itself over when placed 

 on its back. To move the saucer is a sufficient stimulation for this 

 one, but No. 2 does not respond unless touched. While No. 1 moves 

 the first pair of legs most readily, No. 2 moves the second pair more 

 than the first. 



August 21. The two spiders seem to be regaining their health. No. 

 1 moves the body and all the legs without stimulation, and almost 



