The Hairy Ammophila 



The cave is pronounced spick and span, the 

 doorway deemed sufficiently wide to admit a 

 bulky prey; and the Ammophila sets off in 

 search of her captive. She finds it easily. 

 It is a Grey Worm, lying on the ground ; and 

 the Ants have already invaded it. This 

 prize, for which the Ants contend with her, 

 is scorned by the huntress. Many preda- 

 tory Wasps, who temporarily leave their 

 prisoner to go and complete the burrow, or 

 even to begin it, lodge their game high up, 

 on a tuft of verdure, to place it beyond the 

 reach of plunderers. The Ammophila is 

 familiar with this prudent practice; but per- 

 haps she has omitted to take the precaution, 

 or else the heavy prize has fallen to the 

 ground and now the Ants are tugging in 

 eager rivalry at the sumptuous fare. To 

 drive away those pilferers is impossible: for 

 one sent to the right about, ten would return 

 to the attack. So the Wasp seems to think; 

 for, realizing the invasion, she resumes her 

 hunting, without indulging in useless strife. 

 The quest takes place within a radius of 

 ten yards from the nest. The Ammophila 

 explores the soil on foot, little by little, with- 

 out hurrying; she lashes the ground continu- 

 ally with her antennae curved like a bow. 

 36i 



