etimes as the
principal game, Helophilus pendulus, whose costume is very different. On
the faith of indistinguishable remains, we must no doubt enter a number
of other Flies in her game-book. The Golden-mouthed Hornet (Crabro
chrysostomus, LEP.) another burrower in old willow-trees, prefers the
Syrphi, without distinction of species. (The Syrphi, like the Eristales,
resemble Bees through having the abdomen transversely banded with
yellow.--Translator's Note.) The Wandering Solenius (S. vagus, LEP. (For
this Fly-hunting insect cf. "Bramble-bees and Others": chapters 1 and
3.--Translator's Note.)), an inmate of the dry bramble-stems and of the
dwarf-elder, lays under contribution for her larder the genera Syritta,
Sphaerophoria, Sarcophaga, Syrphus, Melanophora, Paragus and apparently
many others. The species which recurs most frequently in my notes is
Syritta pipiens.

Without pursuing this tedious list any farther, we plainly perceive the
general result. Each huntress has her characteristic tastes, so much
so that, when we know the bill of fare, we can tell the genus and very
often the species of the guest, thus proving the proud truth of the
maxim, "Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are."

There are some which always need the same prey. The offspring of the
Languedocian Sphex religiously consume the Ephippiger, that family dish
so dear to their ancestors and no less dear to their descendants; no
innovation in the ancient usages can tempt them. Others are better
suited by variety, for reasons connected with flavour or with facility
of supply; but then the selection of the game is kept within fixed
limits. A natural group, a genus, a family, more rarely almost a whole
order: this is the hunting-ground beyond which poaching is strictly
forbidden. The law is absolute; and one and all scrupulously refrain
from transgressing it.

In the place of the Praying Mantis, offer the Mantis-hunting Tachytes an
equivalent in the shape of a Locust. She will scorn the morsel, though
it would seem to be of excellent flavour, seeing that Panzer's Tachytes
prefers it to any other form of game. Offer her a young Empusa, who
differs so widely from the Mantis in shape and colour: she will accept
without hesitation and operate before your eyes. Despite its fantastic
appearance, the Devilkin is instantly recognized by the Tachytes as a
Mantid and therefore as game falling within her scope.

In exchange for her Cleonus, give