66 The Hunting Wasps 



clothe themselves in a threefold and fourfold 

 waterproof wrapper, far superior to the thin 

 cocoon of the Cerceres. 



But here, with a loud buzz, comes a Sphex 

 who, returning from the chase, stops on a 

 neighbouring bush, holding in her mandibles, 

 by one antenna, a large Cricket, several times 

 her own weight. Exhausted by the burden, 

 she takes a moment's rest. Then she once 

 more grips her captive between her feet and, 

 with a supreme effort, covers in one flight the 

 width of the ravine that separates her from 

 her home. She alights heavily on the level 

 ground where I am watching, in the very 

 middle of a Sphex village. The rest of the 

 journey is performed on foot. The Wasp, not 

 at all intimidated by my presence, bestrides 

 her victim and advances, bearing her head 

 proudly aloft and hauling the Cricket, who 

 trails between her legs, by an antenna held in 

 her mandibles. If the ground be bare, it is 

 easy to drag the victim along ; but, should 

 some grass-tuft spread the network of its shoots 

 across the road, it is curious to observe the 

 amazement of the Sphex when one of these 

 little ropes suddenly thwarts her efforts ; it is 

 curious to witness her marches and counter- 

 marches, her reiterated attempts, until the 

 obstacle is overcome, either with the aid of the 



