The Professor: Avignon 



to dig in, game in abundance to feed the 

 larvse, a peaceful spot hardly ever disturbed 

 by a passing step " : all things combined to 

 attract the digger-wasp to such localities. 



I was, however, not the only one to profit by 

 the shade of my umbrella; I was generally sur- 

 rounded by numerous companions. Gad-flies of 

 various species would take refuge under the silken 

 dome, and sit peacefully on every part of the tightly- 

 stretched cover. I was rarely without their society 

 when the heat became overpowering. To while 

 away the hours when I had nothing to do, it 

 amused me to watch their great gold eyes, which 

 shone like carbuncles under my canopy; I loved 

 to follow their solemn progress when some part 

 of the ceiling became too hot and obliged them to 

 move a little way on. 



One day, bang! The tight cover resounded 

 like the skin of a drum. Perhaps an oak had 

 dropped an acorn on the umbrella. Presently, one 

 after the other, bang, bang, bang! Can some prac- 

 tical joker have come to disturb my solitude and 

 fling acorns or little pebbles at my umbrella? I 

 leave my tent and inspect the neighbourhood : noth- 

 ing! The same sharp sound is repeated. I look 

 up at the ceiling, and the mystery is explained. 

 The Bembex of the vicinity, who all consume Gad- 

 flies, had discovered the rich provender that was 

 keeping me company, and were impudently pene- 

 trating my shelter to seize the flies on the ceiling. 



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