VI 



INSTINCT 91 



is more important, we find in the later case a series of 

 trials by which, after one or two failures, a satisfactory 

 result is obtained. We cannot describe this second wasp 

 as responding in a reflex manner to a particular kind of 

 object. We can only say of her that she has an impulse to 

 bring something suitable to cover her hole. A leaf, a stone, a 

 lump of earth, and again a leaf, are tried in succession until 

 one suits. The objects used differ greatly, the muscular re- 

 actions differ materially. What is constant is merely the 

 end to be achieved, and in some sense or other we must 

 regard the wasp as determined by this end, that is to say, 

 as acting with purpose. 



The writers give several instances of the dexterity with 

 which wasps get spiders into their holes. In one case the wasp 



" was holding it by the under side of the body, the venter 

 being toward the hole, and the legs spread out and stopped its 

 entrance. A moment's tugging convinced her that this would 

 not do, and she then turned the spider over, holding it by the 

 back, whereupon the legs at once folded themselves across the 

 underside of the thorax and the spider was drawn out of 



Sight."l 



Writing of the same species (Pompilus fuscipennis), they 

 say: 



" The spider never went in easily, always requiring to be 

 shifted and turned and tugged at. There was an especial tend- 

 ency to bite at the legs at this point of time, when the wasp, 

 standing within the tunnel, was trying to drag the spider down. 

 In one instance she managed to get it past the entrance, but it 

 stuck in the gallery, and after working at it in that position for a 

 time she brought it out, subjected the legs to a severe squeezing, 

 and tried again. It was still a very bad fit, but by turning it 

 about and pulling at it she succeeded in getting it in." 2 



Another individual, of P. marginatus, stored her prey in 

 a hole from which she had to remove it. 



" The task, however, was not an easy one. She exerted all 

 her strength, so that we expected to see the poor victim dis- 

 membered before our eyes, and still it did not come. At last 

 she seemed to realise that there was more than one way to accom- 

 plish her end, and turned her attention to cutting away the earth 

 to make the opening larger. After a few moments' work she 

 1 P. 141. 2 P. 143. 



