The Hunting Wasps 



even non-existent. Then how is it that the 

 Sphex did not once try to seize one of the six 

 tarsi or the tip of the ovipositor, whereas she 

 attempted the impossible, the absurd, in striv- 

 ing to grip, with her much too short mandi- 

 bles, the huge skull of her prey? Can it be 

 that the idea did not occur to her? Then we 

 will try to suggest it. 



I offer her, right under her mandibles, first 

 a leg, next the end of the abdominal rapier. 

 The insect obstinately refuses to bite; my re- 

 peated blandishments lead to nothing. A 

 singular huntress, to be embarrassed by her 

 game, not knowing how to seize it by a leg 

 when she is not able to take it by the horns 1 

 Perhaps my prolonged presence and the un- 

 usual events that have just occurred have dis- 

 turbed her faculties. Then let us leave the 

 Sphex to herself, between her Ephippiger and 

 her burrow; let us give her time to collect her- 

 self and, in the calm of solitude, to think 

 out some way of managing her business. I 

 leave her therefore and continue my walk; 

 and, two hours later, I return to the same 

 place. The Sphex is gone, the burrow is still 

 open and the Ephippiger is lying just where 

 I placed her. Conclusion: the Wasp has 

 tried nothing; she went away, abandoning 

 196 



