trange world, so wholly different
from ours! We fall back upon a special sense to explain the Ammophila's
hunting; what can we fall back upon to account for this intuition of
the future? Can the theory of chances play a part in the hazy problem?
If nothing is logically arranged with a foreseen object, how is this
clear vision of the invisible acquired?

The capsules of Eumenes pomiformis are literally crammed with game. It
is true that the morsels are very small. My notes speak of fourteen
green caterpillars in one cell and sixteen in a second cell. I have no
other information about the integral diet of this Wasp, whom I have
neglected somewhat, preferring to study her cousin, the builder of
rockwork domes. As the two sexes differ in size, although to a lesser
degree than in the case of Eumenes Amedei, I am inclined to think that
those two well-filled cells belonged to females and that the males'
cells must have a less sumptuous table. Not having seen for myself, I
am content to set down this mere suspicion.

What I have seen and often seen is the pebbly nest, with the larva
inside and the provisions partly consumed. To continue the rearing at
home and follow my charge's progress from day to day was a business
which I could not resist; besides, as far as I was able to see, it was
easily managed. I had had some practice in this foster-father's trade;
my association with the Bembex, the Ammophila, the Sphex (three species
of Digger-wasps.--Translator's Note.) and many others had turned me
into a passable insect-rearer. I was no novice in the art of dividing
an old pen-box into compartments in which I laid a bed of sand and, on
this bed, the larva and her provisions delicately removed from the
maternal cell. Success was almost certain at each attempt: I used to
watch the larvae at their meals, I saw my nurselings grow up and spin
their cocoons. Relying upon the experience thus gained, I reckoned upon
success in raising my Eumenes.

The results, however, in no way answered to my expectations. All my
endeavours failed; and the larva allowed itself to die a piteous death
without touching its provisions.

I ascribed my reverse to this, that and the other cause: perhaps I had
injured the frail grub when demolishing the fortress; a splinter of
masonry had bruised it when I forced open the hard dome with my knife;
a too sudden exposure to the sun had surprised it when I withdrew it
from the darkness of its cell; the open air