332 The Hunting Wasps 



of the rake to her burrow, on the smooth, hard 

 path, before introducing her caterpillar, which, 

 already paralysed, must have been abandoned 

 by the huntress, for the time being, a few yards 

 away from the home. The cave is pronounced 

 spick and span, the doorway deemed sufficiently 

 wide to admit a bulky prey ; and the Ammo- 

 phila sets off in search of her captive. She 

 finds it easily. It is a Grey Worm, lying on the 

 ground ; and the Ants have already in\^aded 

 it. This prize, for which the Ants contend 

 with her, is scorned by the huntress. Many 

 predatory Wasps, who temporarily leave their 

 prisoner to go and complete the burrow, or 

 even to begin it, lodge their game high up, 

 on a tuft of verdure, to place it beyond the 

 reach of plunderers. The Ammophila is familiar 

 with this prudent practice ; but perhaps she 

 has omitted to take the precaution, or else the 

 heavy prize has fallen to the ground, and now 

 the Ants are tugging in eager rivalry at the 

 sumptuous fare. To drive away those pilferers 

 is impossible : for one sent to the right-about, 

 ten would return to the attack. So the Wasp 

 seems to think ; for, realizing the invasion, 

 she resumes her hunting, without indulging in 

 useless strife. 



The quest takes place within a radius of ten 

 yards from the nest. The Annnophila explores 



