Bramble-bees and Others 



ond. And the foolish creature never thinks 

 of it, leaves the ravagers in peace 1 



She does worse. When the time of the 

 nymphosis comes, the Halictus mother goes 

 to the cells rifled by the parasite and closes 

 them with an earthen plug as carefully as she 

 does the rest. This final barricade, an excel- 

 lent precaution when the cot Is occupied by an 

 Halictus in course of metamorphosis, becomes 

 the height of absurdity when the Gnat has 

 passed that way. Instinct does not hesitate 

 in the face of this Ineptitude : it seals up empti- 

 ness. I say, emptiness, because the crafty 

 maggot hastens to decamp the instant that the 

 victuals are consumed, as though it foresaw 

 an Insuperable obstacle for the coming Fly: 

 It quits the cell before the Bee closes it. 



To rascally guile the parasite adds pru- 

 dence. All, until there is none of them left, 

 abandon the clay homes which would be their 

 undoing once the entrance was plugged up. 

 The earthen niche, so grateful to the tender 

 skin, thanks to its polished coating, so free 

 from humidity, thanks to Its waterproof 

 glaze, ought, one would think, to make an 

 excellent waiting-place. The maggots will 

 have none of It. Lest they should find them- 



386 



