374 The Htmting Wasps 



result of my observations never varies in 

 this regard. The prehistoric Ammophila, who 

 abandoned her multipUcity of small game for 

 one colossal head, has nothing to warrant her 

 existence. 



If the point were conceded, would the ques- 

 tion be advanced ? Not in the least. Let us 

 accept as the initial prey a feeble caterpillar, 

 paralysed with a single sting. Even then that 

 sting must not be given at random, else the act 

 would be more harmful than profitable. Irri- 

 tated, but not subdued by the wound, the 

 animal would but become more dangerous. 

 The dart must strike a nerve-centre, probably 

 in the middle region of the string of ganglia. 

 This, at any rate, is how the present-day Am- 

 mophilae seem to go to work when they are 

 addicted to the rape of frail and slender grubs. 

 What chance would the operator have of striking 

 that one particular point, if her lancet were 

 wielded without method ? The probability is 

 ludicrously remote : it is as one to the countless 

 number of points whereof the caterpillar's body 

 is made up. And yet, according to the theorists, 

 it is on this probabihty that the Wasp's future 

 depends. What an edifice to balance on the 

 point of a needle ! 



Let us go on admitting and continue. The 

 desired point is struck ; the prey is duly para- 



