The Langtiedocian Sphex 139 



to start her tunnelling afresh, at least the Wasp 

 finds greater safety in places consecrated by the 

 experience of her forerunners. Consequently 

 she goes there to dig her galleries, each of which 

 serves as a corridor to a group of cells, thus 

 effecting an economy in the aggregate labour 

 expended upon the whole business of the laying. 



In this way are formed not real societies, 

 for there are no concerted efforts towards a 

 common object, but at least assemblies where 

 the sight of her kinswomen and her neighbours 

 doubtless puts heart into the labour of the 

 individual. We can observe, in fact, between 

 these little tribes, springing from the same 

 stock, and the burrowers who do their work 

 alone, a difference in activity which reminds us 

 of the emulation prevailing in a crowded yard 

 and the indifference of labourers who have to 

 work in solitude. Action is contagious in 

 animals as in men ; it is fired by its own example. 



To sum up : when of a moderate weight for 

 its captor, the prey can be conveyed flying, to 

 a great distance. The Wasp can then choose 

 any site that she pleases for her burrow. She 

 adopts by preference the spot where she was 

 born and uses each passage as a common corridor 

 giving access to several cells. The result of 

 this meeting at a common birthplace is the 

 formation of groups, like turning to like, which 



