214 THE WONDERS OF INSTINCT 



whom I have neglected somewhat, preferring to study her 

 cousin, the builder of roclcwork domes. As the two sexes 

 differ in size, although to a lesser degree than in the case 

 of Eumenes Amedei, I am inclined to think that those two 

 well-filled cells belonged to females and that the males' 

 cells must have a less sumptuous table. Not having seen 

 for myself, I am content to set down this mere suspicion. 



What I have seen and often seen is the pebbly 

 nest, with the larva inside and the provisions partly 

 consumed. To continue the rearing at home and follow 

 my charge's progress from day to day was a business 

 which I could not resist; besides, as far as I was able 

 to see, it was easily managed. I had had some practice 

 in this foster-father's trade; my association with the 

 Bembex, the Ammophila, the Sphex * and many others 

 had turned me into a passable insect-rearer. I was 

 no novice in the art of dividing an old pen-box into 

 compartments in which I laid a bed of sand and, on 

 this bed, the larva and her provisions delicately removed 

 from the maternal cell. Success was almost certain at 

 each attempt : I used to watch the larvae at their meals, 

 I saw my nurslings grow up and spin their cocoons. 

 Relying upon the experience thus gained, I reckoned 

 upon success in raising my Eumenes. 



The results, however, in no way answered to my 

 expectations. All my endeavors failed; and the larva 

 allowed itself to die a piteous death without touching 

 its provisions. 



I ascribed my reverse to this, that and the other 



1 Three species of Digger-wasps.— Translator's Note. 



