126 The Htmting IVasps 



fore is used blindly, without any method. We 

 see it pointed indifferently at the victim's back, 

 sides, head, thorax, or belly, according to the 

 chances of the scuffle. The Hunting Wasp 

 paralysing her victim acts like a surgeon who 

 directs his scalpel with a skilled hand ; the 

 Social Wasp killing her prey behaves like a 

 common assassin who stabs at random. For 

 this reason the Eristalis' resistance is pro- 

 longed ; and her death is the result of scissor- 

 cuts rather than dagger-thrusts. When the 

 victim is duly garrotted, motionless between 

 its ravisher's legs, the head falls under a snap 

 of the mandibles ; then the wings are cut off 

 at their juncture with the shoulder ; the legs 

 follow, severed one by one ; lastly, the belly 

 is flung aside, but emptied of the entrails, 

 which the Wasp appears to add to the one 

 favoured portion. This choice morsel is solely 

 the thorax, which is richer in lean meat than 

 the rest of the Eristalis' body. Without further 

 delay the Wasp flies off with it, carrying it in 

 her legs. On reaching the nest, she will make 

 it into potted Fly and serve it in mouthfuls to 

 the larvae. 



The Hornet who has caught a Bee acts in 

 much the same manner ; but, in the case of an 

 assailant of her dimensions, the struggle cannot 

 last long, notwithstanding the victim's sting. 



