184 The Hunting JVasps 



communication between the cell and the out- 

 side. Then, with my forceps, without damaging 

 the edifice, I take the Ephippiger from the cell, 

 where she lies with her head at the back and 

 her ovipositor towards the entrance. The 

 Wasp's ^^'^ is on the victim's breast, at the 

 usual place, the root of one of the hinder thighs : 

 a proof that the Sphex was giving the finishing 

 touch to the burrow, with the intention of 

 never returning. 



Having done this and put the stolen prey 

 safely away in a box, I yield my place to the 

 Sphex, who has been on the watch beside me 

 while I was rifling her home. Finding the door 

 open, she goes in and stays for a few moments. 

 Then she comes out and resumes her work where 

 I interrupted it, that is to say, she starts con- 

 scientiously stopping the entrance to the cell 

 by sweeping dust backwards and carrying 

 grains of sand, which she continues to heap up 

 with scrupulous care, as though she were doing 

 useful work. When the door is once again 

 thoroughly walled up, the insect brushes itself, 

 seems to give a glance of satisfaction at the task 

 accomplished, and finally flies away. 



The Sphex must have known that the burrow 

 contained nothing, because she went inside and 

 even stayed there for some time ; and yet, 

 after this inspection of the pillaged abode, she 



