nimal that first produces complete
anaesthesia in its patient. Human science did not in reality invent
this art, which is one of the wonders of our latter-day surgery. Much
earlier, far back in the centuries, the Lampyris and, apparently,
others knew it as well. The animal's knowledge had a long start of
ours; the method alone has changed. Our operators proceed by making us
inhale the fumes of ether or chloroform; the insect proceeds by
injecting a special virus that comes from the mandibular fangs in
infinitesimal doses. Might we not one day be able to benefit by this
hint? What glorious discoveries the future would have in store for us,
if we understood the beastie's secrets better!

[Footnote 2: Cf. _The Hunting Wasps_, by J. Henri Fabre, translated by
Alexander Teixeira de Mattos: _passim_.--_Translator's Note_.]

What does the Lampyris want with anaesthetical talent against a
harmless and moreover eminently peaceful adversary, who would never
begin the quarrel of his own accord? I think I see. We find in Algeria
a Beetle known as _Drilus maroccanus_, who, though non-luminous,
approaches our Glow-worm in his organization and especially in his
habits. He too feeds on land molluscs. His prey is a Cyclostome with a
graceful spiral shell, tight-closed with a stony lid which is attached
to the animal by a powerful muscle. The lid is a movable door which is
quickly shut by the inmate's mere withdrawal into his house and as
easily opened when the hermit goes forth. With this system of closing,
the abode becomes inviolable; and the Drilus knows it.

Fixed to the surface of the shell by an adhesive apparatus whereof the
Lampyris will presently show us the equivalent, he remains on the
look-out, waiting, if necessary, for whole days at a time. At last,
the need of air and food oblige the besieged noncombatant to show
himself; at least, the door is set slightly ajar. That is enough. The
Drilus is on the spot and strikes his blow. The door can no longer be
closed and the assailant is henceforth master of the fortress. Our
first impression is that the muscle moving the lid has been cut with a
quick-acting pair of shears. This idea must be dismissed. The Drilus
is not well enough equipped with jaws to gnaw through a fleshy mass so
promptly. The operation has to succeed at once, at the first touch: if
not, the animal attacked would retreat, still in full vigour, and the
siege must be recommenced, as arduous as ever, exposing the