The Ammophilae 



egg is invariably laid on the ring that has 

 been rendered insensible. Here and here 

 alone the young larva can bite without pro- 

 voking dangerous contortions; where a 

 needle-prick has no effect, the grub's bite will 

 have no effect either. The grub will thus 

 remain motionless until the nurseling has 

 gained strength and can forge ahead with- 

 out running a risk. 



In my later researches, as the number of 

 my observations increased, I began to enter- 

 tain doubts, not as to the conclusions which 

 I had formed, but as to their general appli- 

 cation. That feeble Loopers and other 

 small caterpillars are rendered harmless by 

 a single thrust, especially when the sting 

 strikes the favourable spot described, is a 

 thing quite probable in itself and one which 

 can also be proved either by direct observa- 

 tion or by testing the insect's sensibility with 

 a needle. But the Sandy Ammophila and 

 especially the Hairy Ammophila capture 

 enormous victims, whose weight, as I have 

 said, is fifteen times that of the kidnapper. 

 Will this giant prey be treated in the same 

 manner as the frail Measuring-worm? Will 

 one dagger-thrust be sufficient to subdue the 

 monster and render it incapable of doing 

 267 



