The Hairy Aimnophila 335 



abandoned, however. Then a suspicion comes 

 to me : the fact that there are four or five of 

 us vainly hunting for a Grey Worm does not 

 prove that the Ammophila is troubled with the 

 same want of skill. Where man is helpless, 

 the insect often triumphs. The exquisite deli- 

 cacy of perception that guides it cannot leave 

 it at a loss for hours together. Perhaps the 

 Grey Worm, foreseeing the gathering storm, 

 has dug its way lower down. The huntress 

 very well knows where it lies, but cannot extract 

 it from its deep hiding-place. When she 

 abandons a spot after a few attempts, it is not 

 for want of sagacity, but for want of the 

 requisite power of digging. Wherever the 

 Ammophila scratches, there must a Grey Worm 

 be : the place is abandoned because the work 

 of extraction is admittedly beyond her strength. 

 It was very stupid of me not to have thought 

 of it earlier. Would such an experienced 

 poacher pay any attention to a place where 

 there is really nothing ? What nonsense ! 



I thereupon resolve to come to her assistance. 

 The insect, at this moment, is digging a tilled 

 and absolutely bare spot. It leaves the place, 

 as it has already done with so many others. I 

 myself continue the work, with the blade of a 

 knife. I do not find anything either ; and I 

 retire. The insect comes back and again begins 



