46 The Hunting IVasps 



number of nuclei or ganglia, more numerous in 

 the larva, less numerous in the perfect insect 

 and arranged along the median line of the lower 

 surface in a string of beads more or less distant 

 one from the other and connected by a double 

 ribbon of the nerve-substance. In all the in- 

 sects in the perfect state, the so-called thoracic 

 ganglia, that is to say, those which supply 

 nerves to the wings and legs and govern their 

 movements, are three in number. These are 

 the points to be struck. If their action can be 

 destroyed, no matter how, the power of move- 

 ment will be destroyed likewise. 



There are two methods of reaching these 

 motor centres with the Wasp's feeble instru- 

 ment, the sting : through the joint between the 

 neck and the corselet ; and through the joint 

 between the corselet and the rest of the thorax, 

 in short, between the first and second pair of 

 legs. The way through the joint of the neck 

 is hardly suitable : it is too far from the gangha, 

 which are near the base of the legs which they 

 endow with movement. It is at the other 

 point and there alone that the blow must be 

 struck. That would be the opinion of the 

 academy in which the Claude Bernards were 

 treating the question in the light of their pro- 

 found knowledge. And it is here, just here, 

 between the first and second pair of legs, on 



