150 The Hunting Wasps 



a live prey for the doomed victim and to repeat 

 the experiment as often as we wish. Besides, 

 the certainty that we shall not lack subjects 

 of observation, as and when wanted, enables 

 us to arrange everything in advance. With 

 the Languedocian Sphex these conditions of 

 success do not exist. To set out expressly to 

 look for her, with one's material prepared, is 

 almost useless, as the solitary insect is scattered 

 one by one over vast expanses of ground. 

 Moreover, if you do come upon her, it will 

 most often be in an idle hour and you will get 

 nothing out of her. As I said before, it is 

 nearly always unexpectedly, when your thoughts 

 are elsewhere engaged, that the Sphex appears, 

 dragging her Ephippiger after her. 



This is the moment, the only propitious 

 moment, to attempt a substitution of prey and 

 invite the huntress to let you witness her 

 lancet-thrusts. Quick, let us procure an alter- 

 native morsel, a live Ephippiger ! Hurry, time 

 presses : in a few minutes the burrow will 

 have received the victuals and the glorious 

 occasion will be lost ! Must I speak of my 

 mortification at these moments of good fortune, 

 the mocking bait held out by chance ? Here, 

 before my eyes, is matter for interesting obser- 

 vations ; and I cannot profit by it ! I cannot 

 surprise the Sphex' secret for the lack of some- 



