CHAPTER XIX 



AN UNKNOWN SENSE 



T HAVE described the Ammophila's hunt- 

 * ing-tactics in detail. The facts which I 

 ascertained seem to me so rich in results that, 

 even if the harmas laboratory supplied me 

 with nothing more, I should think myself 

 indemnified by this one observation. The 

 surgical methods adopted by the Wasp with 

 the object of paralysing the Grey Worm are 

 the highest manifestation in the realm of 

 instinct that I have hitherto met. This in- 

 born science is eminently calculated to give us 

 food for thought. What a subtle logician, 

 what an unerring operator is that unconscious 

 physiologist, the Ammophila! 



He who would witness these marvels for 

 himself can hardly count on what a country- 

 walk may happen to show him; besides, if the 

 lucky opportunity did present itself, he would 

 not have time to profit by it. An observa- 

 tion which I kept up for five hours on end, 

 without even then managing to complete the 

 experiment and obtain the proofs which I 

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