118 FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



tion begins. The grub, a tiny black speck which we see 

 running over the white surface of the egg, at last stops and 

 balances itself firmly on its six legs ; then, seizing the delicate 

 skin of the egg with the sharp hooks of its mandibles, it tugs 

 at it violently till it breaks and spills the contents. These 

 contents the grub eagerly drinks up. Thus the first stroke 

 of the parasite's mandibles is aimed at the destruction of 

 the Bee's egg. 



This is a very wise precaution on the part of the Sitaris- 

 grub ! It will have to feed on the honey in the cell : the Bee's 

 grub which would come out of the egg would also require 

 the honey : there is not enough for two. So quick ! a 

 bite at the egg, and the difficulty is removed. 



Moreover, another reason for the destruction of the egg 

 is that special tastes compel the young Sitaris to make its 

 first meals of it. The tiny creature begins by greedily drink- 

 ing the juices which the torn wrapper of the egg allows to 

 escape. For several days it continues to rip the envelope 

 gradually open, and to feed on the liquid that trickles from 

 it. Meanwhile it never touches the honey that surrounds it. 

 The Bee's egg is absolutely necessary to the Sitaris-grub, not 

 merely as a boat, but also as nourishment. 



At the end of a week the egg is nothing but a dry skin. 

 The first meal is finished. The Sitaris-grub, which is now 

 twice as large as before, splits open along the back, and through 

 this slit the second form of this singular Beetle falls on the 

 surface of the honey. Its cast skin remains on the raft, 

 and will presently disappear with it beneath the waves of 

 honey. 



Here ends the history of the first form adopted by the 

 Sitaris. 



