The Cionus 
tered. In either case it is the work of an 
unconscious ingenuity. The grub does not 
plan its methods any more than the pimper- 
nel: it has hit upon its ingenious scheme of 
joining the halves of its capsule by the in- 
spiration of instinct alone. 
More numerous than the capsules which 
burst accurately are others which are clumsily 
torn by a shapeless breach. Through this 
some parasite must have emerged, some ruth- 
less creature which, unacquainted with the 
secret of the delicate joint, has released itself 
by tearing the gold-beater’s-skin. I find its 
larva in cells which are not yet perforated. 
It is a small, white grub, fixed to a discol- 
oured tit-bit which is all that remains of the 
Cionus’ nymph. The intruder is sucking dry 
the rightful occupant, whose budding flesh 
is still quite tender. I think I can identify 
the murderess as a bandit of the Chalcid 
tribe, which is addicted to such massacres. 
Her appearance and her gluttonous ways 
have not misled me. My rearing-jars pro- 
vide me with abundant supplies of a small 
bronze-coloured Chalcid with a large head 
and a round, tapering body, but with no visi- 
ble boring-tool. To enquire her name of the 
329 
