The Halicti : the Portress 



I come back again at night-fall, or even 

 later. By the light of a lantern, I again be- 

 hold the overseer, as zealous and assiduous as 

 in the day-time. The others are resting, but 

 not she, for fear, apparently, of nocturnal 

 dangers known to herself alone. Does she 

 nevertheless end by descending to the quiet of 

 the floor below? It seems probable, so essen- 

 tial must rest be, after the fatigue of such a 

 vigil ! 



It is evident that, guarded in this manner, 

 the burrow is exempt from calamities similar 

 to those which, too often, depopulate it in 

 May. Let the Gnat come now, if she dare, to 

 steal the Halictus' loaves ! Let her lie in wait 

 as long as she will ! Neither her audacity nor 

 her slyness will make her escape the lynx eyes 

 of the sentinel, who will put her to flight with 

 a theatening gesture or, if she persist, crush 

 her with her nippers. She will not come; and 

 we know the reason : until spring returns, she 

 is underground in the pupa state. 



But, in her absence, there is no lack, among 

 the Fly rabble, of other batteners on the toil 

 of their fcllow-insccts. Whatever the job, 

 whatever the plunder, you will find parasites 

 there. And yet, for all my daily visits, I never 



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