The Wisdom of Instinct 



a little farther back, towards the root of one 

 of the large hind-thighs, is adopted by the 

 Languedocian Sphex, all three thus giving 

 proof, by this uniformity, of wonderful dis- 

 cernment in picking out the spot where the 

 egg is bound to be safe. 



Consider the Ephippiger pent in the bur- 

 row. She lies stretched upon her back, abso- 

 lutely incapable of turning. In vain, she 

 struggles, in vain she writhes : the disordered 

 movements of her legs are lost in space, the 

 room being too wide to afford them the sup- 

 port of its walls. The grub cares nothing 

 for the victim's convulsions: it is at a spot 

 where naught can reach it, not tarsi, nor man- 

 dibles, nor ovipositor, nor antennae; a spot 

 absolutely stationary, devoid of so much as 

 a surface tremor. It is in perfect safety, on 

 the sole condition that the Ephippiger cannot 

 shift her position, turn over, get upon her 

 feet; and this one condition is admirably ful- 

 filled. 



But, with several heads of game, all in the 

 same stage of paralysis, the larva's danger 

 would be great. Though it would have no- 

 thing to fear from the insect first attacked, 

 because of its position out of the reach of its 

 victim, it would have every occasion to dread 

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