precious Grey Worm or its equivalent.

Behold the worm and the Ammophila face to face beneath the bell-glass.
Usually the attack is prompt enough. The caterpillar is grabbed by the
neck with the mandibles, wide, curved pincers capable of embracing the
greater part of the living cylinder. The creature thus seized twists
and turns and sometimes, with a blow of its tail, sends the assailant
rolling to a distance. The latter is unconcerned and thrusts her sting
thrice in rapid succession into the thorax, beginning with the third
segment and ending with the first, where the weapon is driven home with
greater determination than elsewhere.

The caterpillar is then released. The Ammophila stamps on the ground;
with her quivering tarsi she taps the cardboard on which the bell-glass
stands; she lies down flat, drags herself along, gets up again, flattens
herself once more. The wings jerk convulsively. From time to time the
insect places its mandibles and forehead on the ground, then rears high
upon its hind-legs as though to turn head over heels. In all this I
see a manifestation of delight. We rub our hands when rejoicing at a
success; the Ammophila is celebrating her triumph over the monster in
her own fashion. During this fit of delirious joy, what is the wounded
caterpillar doing? It can no longer walk; but all the part behind the
thorax struggles violently, curling and uncurling when the Ammophila
sets a foot upon it. The mandibles open and shut menacingly.

SECOND ACT.--When the operation is resumed, the caterpillar is seized
by the back. From front to rear, in order, all the segments are stung on
the ventral surface, except the three operated on. All serious danger is
averted by the stabs of the first act; therefore, the Wasp is now able
to work upon her patient without the haste displayed at the outset.
Deliberately and methodically she drives in her lancet, withdraws it,
selects the spot, stabs it and begins again, passing from segment to
segment, taking care, each time, to lay hold of the back a little more
to the rear, in order to bring the segment to be paralysed within reach
of the needle. For the second time, the caterpillar is released. It
is absolutely inert, except the mandibles, which are still capable of
biting.

THIRD ACT.--The Ammophila clasps the paralysed victim between her legs;
with the hooks of her mandibles she seizes the back of its neck, at the
base of the first thoracic segment. For nearly ten min