344 ^^^^ Himting IVasps 



the ground is to be purged. Guided by scent, 

 these grave-diggers hurry towards the dead 

 Mole. 



But, while the presence of the olfactory sense 

 in insects is indisputable, we still ask ourselves 

 where it is seated. Many declare that the seat 

 is in the antennae. Let us admit this, though 

 it is difficult to understand how a rod consisting 

 of horny segments, jointed end to end, can 

 fulfil the office of a nostril which is so very differ- 

 ently constructed. The organization of one 

 apparatus having naught in common with the 

 other, can the impressions received by both be 

 of the same nature ? When tools are dissimilar, 

 do their functions remain alike ? 



Besides, there are grave objections in the case 

 of our Wasp. Smell is a passive rather than 

 an active sense ; it does not, like touch, antici- 

 pate the impression : it receives it ; it does not 

 inquire after the scented effluvium : it accepts 

 it when it comes. Now the Ammophila's 

 antennae are always moving : they investigate, 

 they anticipate the impression. The impres- 

 sion of what ? If it were really an impression 

 of smell, repose would serve them better than 

 a perpetual quivering. 



But there is more to be said : the olfactory 

 sense goes for nothing when there is no smell. 

 Now I have tested the Grey Worm for myself ; 



