134 THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS. 



stinging it on the nervous chain. These preliminary 

 operations do not impede it, but it is embarrassed 

 when it wishes to introduce through the entrance of 

 its gallery an insect which is too large. It pulls at 

 first as much as it can, but seeing the failure of its 

 efforts it does not persevere in this attempt, and 

 comes out to survey the situation. Decidedly the 

 victim is too large and cannot pass through. The 

 Chlorion begins by cutting off the elytra, which 

 maintain it rigid and prevent it from being compressed. 

 This done, it harnesses itself anew and re-commences 

 its efforts. But this is not sufficient, and the victim 

 still resists. The insect returns, and again examines 

 the situation. Now it is a leg which is placed cross- 

 ways and opposes the introduction of the body ; 

 strong diseases need strong remedies, and our 

 Chlorion sets itself to amputate this encumbering 

 appendage. It triumphs at last ; the cockroach 

 yields to its efforts, and little by little penetrates the 

 hole. As may be seen, the labour is laborious and 

 painful, and may present itself beneath various aspects 

 which call for a certain ingenuity on the part of the 

 animal. 



Up to recent years the Cerceris was considered to 

 act with as much certainty as the Sphex, and to obey 

 an infallible instinct which always guided it for the 

 best in the interests of its offspring. The insects it 

 attacks belong to the genus Buprestis. It consumes 

 them in considerable numbers. Its manner of action, 

 as described by L^on Dufour,i much resembles that 

 of the Sphex, and it would be superfluous to describe 

 it. The only fact which I wish to mention, and 



' " Histoire des Cerceris," Ann. Sc. Nat., ii. Serie, t. xv., 1841, 

 PP- 353-370. 



