144 T^^^ Hunting IVasps 



pats of the trowel are administered with the 

 tarsi, giving a last polish to the walls. Without 

 lingering too long over these delicate after- 

 touches, the Wasp goes back to her booty and 

 harnesses herself to its antennae. Forward ! 

 Will the journey be completed this time ? I 

 would not answer for it. I have known a 

 Sphex, more suspicious than the others, per- 

 haps, or more neglectful of the minor archi- 

 tectural details, to repair her omissions, to 

 dispel her doubts, by abandoning her prize on 

 the way five or six times running, in order to 

 hurry to the burrow, which each time was 

 touched up a little or merely inspected within. 

 It is true that others make straight for their 

 destination, without even stopping to rest. I 

 must also add that, when the Wasp goes home 

 to improve the dwelling, she does not fail to 

 give a glance from a distance every now and 

 then at the Ephippiger over there, to make 

 sure that nothing has happened to her. This 

 sohcitude recalls that of the Sacred Beetle 

 when he leaves the hall which he is excavating 

 in order to come and feel his beloved pellet and 

 bring it a little nearer to him. 



The inference to be drawn from the details 

 which I have related is manifest. The fact 

 that every Languedocian Sphex surprised in 

 her mining operations, even though it be at 



