244 "WASTE-LAND WANDERINGS. 



called my attention from winged to wingless insects, 

 and I saw, moving hurriedly along, that beautiful but 

 dangerous creature popularly known as the velvet ant. 

 It had better be called a sulphur-breathing imp of sheol. 

 It is not an ant really, but the wingless female of a 

 Hymenopter allied to them — the family MutillidcB — 

 and without further reference to her position in the text- 

 books, it may be added that she is the incarnation of 

 ill-temper. One often hears the phrase, " as mad as a 

 hornet ;" but these are really peaceful, compared to the 

 velvet ant, and angry only on occasion. Hornets can 

 be provoked to anger, but do not systematically get out 

 of bed, day in and week out, in a fit of fiery passion. 

 This is just what the scarlet velvet ant does. If astir 

 before the sun is well up, they are angered by the low 

 temperature ; at hot, high noon they venture abroad, 

 berating even the grass blades, and killing or torturing 

 with their poisoned sting every creature that crosses 

 their path. Brave, indeed, must be their winged mates, 

 to be willing to approach, and ever alert to take flight 

 the instant any additional frowns darken these viragoes' 

 foreheads. If it is true that anger is hot, then it is 

 strange the frost can penetrate to their winter's subter- 

 ranean abode. Packard says it quickly conceals itself 

 when disturbed. Not always. I have found that it was 

 by no means cowardly, even when pursued by man. 

 On the contrary, often has it shown itself ready to fight, 

 as though well aware that it possesses a terribly effective 

 weapon. "Whether undisturbed or when pursued, it at 

 all times utters a loud and ireful buzzing that strangely 

 enough has been recorded as a "faint squeaking sound." 



