Bramble-bees and Others 



contracts. Since the left half no longer re- 

 ceives the symmetrical cooperation of the 

 right half, the grub, instead of curling into 

 the normal volute, closes its spiral on one side 

 and leaves it wide open on the other. The 

 concentration of the nervous apparatus, 

 poisoned by the venom down one side of the 

 body only, a longitudinal half, explains this 

 condition, which is the most remarkable of all. 



There is nothing to be gained by multiply- 

 ing these examples. We have seen pretty 

 clearly the great variety of results produced 

 by the haphazard sting of a Bee's abdomen; 

 let us now come to the crux of the matter. 

 Can the Bee's poison reduce the prey to the 

 condition required by the predatory Wasp? 

 Yes, I have proved it by experiment; but the 

 proof calls for so much patience that it seemed 

 to me to suffice when obtained once for each 

 species. In such difficult conditions, with a 

 poison of excessive strength, a single success 

 is conclusive proof; the thing is possible so 

 long as it occurs once. 



A female Ephippiger is stung at the median 

 point, just a little in front of the fore-legs. 

 Convulsive movements lasting for a few sec- 

 onds are followed by a fall to one side, with 



354' 



