476 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



misfortunes ; but it soon became apparent that this was not the case, as 

 the Wasp quickly stripped the legs and wings off his prey, shook himself 

 free of the web, and carried off the carcase in his mouth. The owner of 

 the web was an interested spectator, but did not take any part in the con- 

 test. — R. H. Ramsbotham (Meale Brace Hall, Shrewsbury). 



[This communication prompts an interesting question as to the com- 

 bative power of Spider versus Wasp. The recorded verdict is somewhat 

 ambiguous, as the few — probably not nearly exhaustive — notes here appended 

 clearly show. For the Spider: The Rev. W. F. Kirby, quoting from 

 Walck ('Araneid de France,' p. 202), relates that one species, Segestria 

 perfida, " has been seen even to seize a very active Wasp." The late Prof. 

 Westwood ('Mod. Class. Ins.' vol. ii. p. 247) states that he once observed 

 "a Spider, belonging to the genus Thomisus, sucking a Wasp which it had 

 killed. For the Wasp : In ■ The Zoologist ' (1859, p. 6732) is to be found 

 the account of an experiment made by putting a Wasp into a Spider's web. 

 In this case the Spider, who made a rush at the Wasp, was stung in its 

 abdomen, and fell from its web dead upon the ground. In 'Nature,' 

 vol. xvii. p. 381, is an account from the Piraeus, describing the chasing and 

 killing of a large hunting Spider by a species of Wasp, probably a Pompilus. 

 There is a record in 'The Zoologist' for 1887, p. 310, of an observation 

 made in Ceylon of a Mason Wasp — a large common species — seen dragging 

 a large Tarantula, which it had paralysed, across a path. Belt (' Naturalist 

 in Nicaragua,' p. 313) refers to Wasps storiug their nests with Spiders, after 

 benumbing them with their stings. 



It will thus be seen that in this, as in most other branches of zoology, 

 actual observations on the life-histories of animals are still greatly desiderated. 

 It is probable that a conflict between Wasp and Spider depends in issue very 

 largely on the species, and more particularly the genus, to which each 

 belongs. Both Wasps and Spiders, as well as other animals, vary greatly 

 in their habits and pugnacity ; and hence — when possible— the observing 

 naturalist should fortify himself with the additional knowledge imparted by 

 the taxonomist, and thus add to the details of the occurrence the correct 

 names of those which took part in it. — Ed.] 



