Judgingbywhathasgonebefore，thereaderwillperhapsexpecttoseeimmediaterepairs，urgentrepairs，forthesafetyofthefuturelarvaisatstake。Lethimdismissanysuchillusion：moreandmorejourneysareundertaken，nowinquestoffood，nowinquestofmortar；butnotoneoftheMason-beestroublesaboutthedisastrousbreach。Theharvestergoesonharvesting；thebusybricklayerproceedswithhernextrowofbricks，asthoughnothingoutofthewayhadhappened。
　　Lastly，iftheinjuredcellsarehighenoughandcontainenoughprovisions，theBeelayshereggs，putsadoortothehouseandpassesontoanotherhouse，withoutdoingaughttoremedytheleakageofthehoney。Twoorthreedayslater，thosecellshavelostalltheircontents，whichnowformalongtrailonthesurfaceofthenest。
　　IsitthroughlackofintelligencethattheBeeallowsherhoneytogotowaste？Mayitnotratherbethroughhelplessness？ItmighthappenthatthesortofmortarwhichtheMasonhasatherdisposalwillnotsetontheedgesofaholethatisstickywithhoney。Thehoneymaypreventthecementfromadjustingitselftotheorifice，inwhichcasetheinsect’sinertnesswouldmerelyberesignationtoanirreparableevil。Letuslookintothematterbeforedrawinginferences。Withmyforceps，IdeprivetheBeeofherpelletofmortarandapplyittotheholewhencethehoneyisescaping。Myattemptatrepairingmeetswiththefullestsuccess，thoughIdonotpretendtocompetewiththeMasonindexterity。Forapieceofworkdonebyaman’shanditisquitecreditable。Mydabofmortarfitsnicelyintothemutilatedwall；ithardensasusual；andtheescapeofhoneyceases。Thisisquitesatisfactory。Whatwoulditbehadtheworkbeendonebytheinsect，equippedwithitstoolsofexquisiteprecision？WhentheMason-beerefrains，therefore，thisisnotduetohelplessnessonherpart，nortoanydefectinthematerialemployed。
　　Anotherobjectionpresentsitself。Wearegoingtoofarperhapsinadmittingthisconcatenationofideasintheinsect’smind，inexpectingittoarguethatthehoneyisrunningawaybecausethecellhasaholeinitandthattosaveitfrombeingwastedtheholemustbestopped。Somuchlogicperhapsexceedsthepowersofitspoorlittlebrain。Then，again，theholeisnotseen；itishiddenbythehoneytricklingthrough。Thecauseofthatstreamofhoneyisanunknowncause；andtotracethelossoftheliquidhometothatcause，totheholeinthereceptacle，istooloftyapieceofreasoningfortheinsect。
　　Acellintherudimentarycup-stageandcontainingnoprovisionshasahole，threeorfourmillimetres（。11to。15inch。——Translator’sNote。）
　　wide，madeinitatthebottom。Afewmomentslater，thisorificeisstoppedbytheMason。Wehavealreadywitnessedasimilarpatching。
　　Theinsect，havingfinished，startsforaging。Ireopentheholeatthesameplace。ThepollenrunsthroughtheapertureandfallstothegroundastheBeeisrubbingoffherfirstloadinthecell。Thedamageisundoubtedlyobserved。Whenplungingherheadintothecuptotakestockofwhatshehasstored，theBeeputsherantennaeintotheartificialhole：shesoundsit，sheexploresit，shecannotfailtoperceiveit。
　　Iseethetwofeelersquiveringoutsidethehole。Theinsectnoticesthebreachinthewall：thatiscertain。Itfliesoff。Willitbringbackmortarfromitspresentjourneytorepairtheinjuredjarasitdidjustnow？
　　Notatall。Itreturnswithprovisions，itdisgorgesitshoney，itrubsoffitspollen，itmixesthematerial。Thestickyandalmostsolidmassfillsuptheopeningandoozesthroughwithdifficulty。I
　　rollaspillofpaperandfreethehole，whichremainsopenandshowsdaylightdistinctlyinbothdirections。Isweeptheplaceclearoverandoveragain，wheneverthisbecomesnecessarybecausenewprovisionsarebrought；IcleantheopeningsometimesintheBee’sabsence，sometimesinherpresence，whilesheisbusymixingherpaste。Theunusualhappeningsinthewarehouseplunderedfrombelowcannotescapeheranymorethantheever-openbreachatthebottomofthecell。
　　Nevertheless，forthreeconsecutivehours，Iwitnessthisstrangesight：theBee，fullofactivezealforthetaskinhand，omitstoplugthisvesseloftheDanaides。Shepersistsintryingtofillhercrackedreceptacle，whencetheprovisionsdisappearassoonasstoredaway。Sheconstantlyalternatesbetweenbuilder’sandharvester’swork；sheraisestheedgesofthecellwithfreshrowsofbricks；shebringsprovisionswhichIcontinuetoabstract，soastoleavethebreachalwaysvisible。Shemakesthirty-twojourneysbeforemyeyes，nowformortar，nowforhoney，andnotoncedoesshebethinkherselfofstoppingtheleakageatthebottomofherjar。
　　Atfiveo’clockintheevening，theworkscease。Theyareresumedonthemorrow。Thistime，Ineglecttocleanoutmyartificialorificeandleavethevictualsgraduallytooozeoutbythemselves。Atlength，theeggislaidandthedoorsealedup，withoutanythingbeingdonebytheBeeinthematterofthedisastrousbreach。Andyettoplugtheholewereaneasymatterforher：apelletofhermortarwouldsuffice。Besides，whilethecupwasstillempty，didshenotinstantlyclosetheholewhichIhadmade？Whyarenotthoseearlyrepairsofhersrepeated？Itclearlyshowsthecreature’sinabilitytoretracethecourseofitsactions，howeverslightly。Atthetimeofthefirstbreach，thecupwasemptyandtheinsectwaslayingthefirstrowsofbricks。TheaccidentproducedthroughmyagencyconcernedthepartoftheworkwhichoccupiedtheBeeattheactualmoment；itwasaflawinthebuilding，suchascanoccurnaturallyinnewcoursesofmasonry，whichhavenothadtimetoharden。Incorrectingthatflaw，theMasondidnotgooutsideherusualwork。
　　But，oncetheprovisioningbegins，thecupisfinishedforgoodandall；and，comewhatmay，theinsectwillnottouchitagain。Theharvesterwillgoonharvesting，thoughthepollentrickletothegroundthroughthedrain。Toplugtheholewouldimplyachangeofoccupationofwhichtheinsectisincapableforthemoment。Itisthehoney’sturnandnotthemortar’s。Theruleuponthispointisinvariable。Amomentcomes，presently，whentheharvestingisinterruptedandthemasoningresumed。Theedificemustberaisedastoreyhigher。WilltheBee，oncemoreabuilder，mixingfreshcement，nowattendtotheleakageatthebottom？Nomorethanbefore。Whatoccupiesheratpresentisthenewfloor，whosebrickworkwouldberepairedatonce，ifitsustainedadamage；butthebottomstoreyistoooldapartofthebusiness，itisancienthistory；andtheworkerwillnotputafurthertouchtoit，eventhoughitbeinseriousdanger。
　　Fortherest，thepresentandthefollowingstoreyswillallhavethesamefate。Carefullywatchedbytheinsectaslongastheyareinprocessofbuilding，theyareforgottenandallowedtogotoruinoncetheyareactuallybuilt。Hereisastrikinginstance：inacellwhichhasattaineditsfullheight，Imakeawindow，almostaslargeasthenaturalopening，andplaceitabouthalf-wayup，abovethehoney。TheBeebringsprovisionsforsometimelongerandthenlaysheregg。
　　Throughmybigwindow，Iseetheeggdepositedonthevictuals。Theinsectnextworksatthecover，towhichitgivesthefinishingtoucheswithaseriesoflittletaps，administeredwithinfinitecare，whilethebreachremainsyawning。Onthelid，itscrupulouslystopsupeveryporethatcouldadmitsomuchasanatom；butitleavesthegreatopeningthatplacesthehouseatthemercyofthefirst-comer。
　　Itgoestothatbreachrepeatedly，putsinitshead，examinesit，exploresitwithitsantennae，nibblestheedgesofit。Andthatisall。Themutilatedcellshallstayasitis，withneveradabofmortar。ThethreatenedpartdatestoofarbackfortheBeetothinkoftroublingaboutit。
　　Ihavesaidenough，Ithink，toshowtheinsect’smentalincapacityinthepresenceoftheaccidental。Thisincapacityisconfirmedbyrenewingthetest，anessentialconditionofallgoodexperiments；
　　thereforemynotesarefullofexamplessimilartotheonewhichI
　　havejustdescribed。Torelatethemwouldbemererepetition；Ipassthemoverforthesakeofbrevity。
　　Therenewalofatestisnotsufficient：wemustalsovaryourtest。
　　Letus，then，examinetheinsect’sintelligencefromanotherpointofview，thatoftheintroductionofforeignbodiesintothecell。TheMason-beeisahousekeeperofscrupulouscleanliness，asindeedarealltheHymenoptera。Notaspotofdirtissufferedinherhoney-pot；
　　notagrainofdustispermittedonthesurfaceofhermixture。Andyet，whilethejarisopen，thepreciousBee-breadisexposedtoaccidents。Theworkersinthecellsabovemayinadvertentlydropalittlemortarintothelowercells；theownerherself，whenworkingatenlargingthejar，runstheriskoflettingaspeckofcementfallintotheprovisions。AGnat，attractedbythesmell，maycomeandbecaughtinthehoney；brawlsbetweenneighbourswhoaregettingintoeachother’swaymaysendsomedustflyingthither。Allthisrefusehastodisappearandthatquickly，lestafterwardsthelarvashouldfindcoarsefareunderitsdelicatemandibles。ThereforetheMason-
　　beesmustbeabletocleansethecellofanyforeignbody。And，inpointoffact，theyarewellabletodoso。
　　Iplaceonthesurfaceofthehoneyfiveorsixbitsofstrawamillimetreinlength。（。039inch。——Translator’sNote。）Greatastonishmentonthepartofthereturninginsect。Neverbeforehavesomanysweepingsaccumulatedinitswarehouse。TheBeepicksoutthebitsofstraw，onebyone，totheverylast，andeachtimegoesandgetsridofthematadistance。Theeffortisoutofallproportiontothework：IseetheBeesoarabovethenearestplane-tree，toaheightofthirtyfeet，andflyawaybeyondittoridherselfofherburden，amereatom。Shefearslestsheshouldlittertheplacebydroppingherbitofstrawontheground，underthenest。Athinglikethatmustbecarriedveryfaraway。
　　Iplaceuponthehoney-pasteaMason-bee’seggwhichImyselfsawlaidinanadjacentcell。TheBeepicksitoutandthrowsitawayatadistance，asshedidwiththestrawsjustnow。Therearetwoinferencestobedrawnfromthis，bothextremelyinteresting。Inthefirstplace，thatpreciousegg，forwhosefuturetheBeelabourssoindefatigably，becomesavalueless，cumbersome，hatefulthingwhenitbelongstoanother。Herowneggiseverything；theeggofhernextdoorneighbourisnothing。Itisflungonthedust-heaplikeanybitofrubbish。Theindividual，sozealousonbehalfofherfamily，displaysanabominableindifferencefortherestofherkind。Eachoneforhimself。Inthesecondplace，Iaskmyself，withoutasyetbeingabletofindananswertomyquestion，howcertainparasitesgotoworktogivetheirlarvathebenefitoftheprovisionsaccumulatedbytheMason-bee。Iftheydecidetolaytheireggonthevictualsintheopencell，theBee，whensheseesit，willnotfailtocastitout；iftheydecidetolayaftertheowner，theycannotdoso，forsheblocksupthedoorassoonasherlayingisdone。Thiscuriousproblemmustbereservedforfutureinvestigation。（Cf。"TheLifeoftheFly"：
　　chapters2to4；alsolaterchaptersinthepresentvolume。——
　　Translator’sNote。）
　　Lastly，Istickintothepasteabitofstrawnearlyaninchlongandstandingwelloutabovetherimofthecell。Theinsectextractsitbydintofgreatefforts，draggingitawayfromoneside；orelse，withthehelpofitswings，itdragsitfromabove。Itdartsawaywiththehoney-smearedstrawandgetsridofitatadistance，afterflyingovertheplane-tree。
　　Thisiswherethingsbegintogetcomplicated。Ihavesaidthat，whenthetimecomesforlaying，theMason-beearriveswithapelletofmortarwherewithimmediatelytomakeadoortothehouse。Theinsect，withitsfrontlegsrestingontherim，insertsitsabdomeninthecell；ithasthemortarreadyinitsmouth。Havinglaidtheegg，itcomesoutandturnsroundtoblockthedoor。Iwaveitawayforasecond，atthesametimeplantingmystrawasbefore，astrawstickingoutnearlyacentimetre。（。39inch。——Translator’sNote。）WhatwilltheBeedo？Willshe，whoisscrupulousinriddingthehomeoftheleastmoteofdust，extractthisbeam，whichwouldcertainlyprovethelarva’sundoingbyinterferingwithitsgrowth？Shecould，forjustnowwesawherdragoutandthrowaway，atadistance，asimilarbeam。
　　Shecouldandshedoesn’t。Sheclosesthecell，cementsthelid，sealsupthestrawinthethicknessofthemortar。Morejourneysaretaken，notafew，insearchofthecementrequiredtostrengthenthecover。
　　Eachtime，themasonappliesthematerialwiththemostminutecare，whilegivingthestrawnotathought。Inthisway，Iobtain，oneaftertheother，eightclosedcellswhoselidsaresurmountedbymymast，abitofprotrudingstraw。Whatevidenceofobtuseintelligence！
　　Thisresultisdeservingofattentiveconsideration。AtthemomentwhenIaminsertingmybeam，theinsecthasitsmandiblesengaged：
　　theyareholdingthepelletofmortarintendedfortheblocking-
　　operation。Astheextracting-toolisnotfree，theextractiondoesnottakeplace。IexpectedtoseetheBeerelinquishhermortarandthenproceedtoremovetheencumbrance。Adabofmortarmoreorlessisnotaseriousbusiness。IhadalreadynoticedthatittakesmyMason-beesajourneyofthreeorfourminutestocollectone。Thepollen-
　　expeditionslastlonger，amatteroftenorfifteenminutes。Todropherpellet，grabthestrawwithhermandibles，nowdisengaged，removeitandgatherafreshsupplyofcementwouldentailalossoffiveminutesatmost。TheBeedecidesdifferently。Shewillnot，shecannotrelinquishherpellet；andsheusesit。Nomatterthatthelarvawillperishbythisuntimelytrowelling：themomenthascometowallupthedoor；thedooriswalledup。Oncethemandiblesarefree，theextractioncouldbeattempted，attheriskofwreckingthelid。ButtheBeedoesnothingofthesort：shekeepsonfetchingmortar；andthelidisreligiouslyfinished。
　　Wemightgoontosaythat，iftheBeewereobligedtodepartinquestoffreshmortarafterdroppingthefirsttowithdrawthestraw，shewouldleavetheeggunguardedandthatthiswouldbeanextrememeasurewhichthemothercannotbringherselftoadopt。Thenwhydoesshenotplacethepelletontherimofthecell？Themandibles，nowfree，wouldremovethebeam；thepelletwouldbetakenupagainatonce；andeverythingwouldgotoperfection。Butno：theinsecthasitsmortarand，comewhatmay，employsitontheworkforwhichitwasintended。
　　IfanyoneseesarudimentofreasoninthisHymenopteronintelligence，hehaseyesthataremorepenetratingthanmine。Iseenothinginitallbutaninvinciblepersistenceintheactoncebegun。
　　Thecogshavegripped；andtherestofthewheelsmustfollow。Themandiblesarefastenedonthepelletofmortar；andtheidea，thewishtounfastenthemwillneveroccurtotheinsectuntilthepellethasfulfilleditspurpose。Andhereisastillgreaterabsurdity：thepluggingoncebegunisverycarefullyfinishedwithfreshrelaysofmortar！Exquisiteattentionispaidtoaclosing-upwhichishenceforthuseless；noattentionatalltothedangerousbeam。O
　　littlegleamsofreasonthataresaidtoenlightentheanimal，youareverynearthedarkness，youarenaught！
　　Anotherandstillmoreeloquentfactwillfinallyconvincewhosomayyetbedoubting。Therationofhoneystoredupinacellisevidentlymeasuredbytheneedsofthecominglarva。Thereisneithertoomuchnortoolittle。HowdoestheBeeknowwhentheproperquantityisreached？Thecellsaremoreorlessconstantindimension，buttheyarenotfilledcompletely，onlytoabouttwo-thirdsoftheirheight。A
　　largespaceisthereforeleftempty；andthevictuallerhastojudgeofthemomentwhenthesurfaceofthemesshasattainedtherightlevel。Thehoneybeingperfectlyopaque，itsdepthisnotapparent。I
　　havetouseasounding-rodwhenIwanttogaugethecontentsofthejar；andIfind，ontheaverage，thatthehoneyreachesadepthoftenmillimetres。（。39inch。——Translator’sNote。）TheBeehasnotthisresource；shehassight，whichmayenablehertoestimatethefullsectionfromtheemptysection。Thispresupposesthepossessionofasomewhatgeometriceye，capableofmeasuringthethirdofadistance。
　　IftheinsectdiditbyEuclid，thatwouldbeverybrilliantofit。
　　Whatamagnificentproofinfavourofitslittleintellect：aChalicodomawithageometrician’seye，abletodivideastraightlineintothreeequalparts！Thisisworthlookingintoseriously。
　　Itakefivecells，whichareonlypartlyprovisioned，andemptythemoftheirhoneywithawadofcottonheldinmyforceps。Fromtimetotime，astheBeebringsnewprovisions，Irepeatthecleansing-
　　process，sometimesclearingoutthecellentirely，sometimesleavingathinlayeratthebottom。Idonotobserveanypronouncedhesitationonthepartofmyplunderedvictims，eventhoughtheysurprisemeatthemomentwhenIamdrainingthejar；theycontinuetheirworkwithquietindustry。Sometimes，twoorthreethreadsofcottonremainclingingtothewallsofthecells：theBeesremovethemcarefullyanddartawaytoadistance，asusual，togetridofthem。Atlast，alittlesooneroralittlelater，theeggislaidandthelidfastenedon。
　　Ibreakopenthefiveclosedcells。Inone，theegghasbeenlaidonthreemillimetresofhoney（。117inch。——Translator’sNote。）；intwo，ononemillimetre（。039inch。——Translator’sNote。）；and，inthetwoothers，itisplacedonthesideofthereceptacledrainedofallitscontents，or，tobemoreaccurate，havingonlytheglaze，thevarnishleftbythefrictionofthehoney-coveredcotton。
　　Theinferenceisobvious：theBeedoesnotjudgeofthequantityofhoneybytheelevationofthesurface；shedoesnotreasonlikeageometrician，shedoesnotreasonatall。Sheaccumulatessolongasshefeelswithinherthesecretimpulsethatpromptshertogooncollectinguntilthevictuallingiscompleted；sheceasestoaccumulatewhenthatimpulseissatisfied，irrespectiveoftheresult，whichinthiscasehappenstobeworthless。Nomentalfaculty，assistedbysight，informsherwhenshehasenough，orwhenshehastoolittle。Aninstinctivepredispositionisheronlyguide，aninfallibleguideundernormalconditions，buthopelesslylostwhensubjectedtothewilesoftheexperimenter。HadtheBeetheleastglimmerofreasonwouldshelayhereggonthethird，onthetenthpartofthenecessaryprovender？Wouldshelayitinanemptycell？
　　Wouldshebeguiltyofsuchinconceivablematernalaberrationastoleavehernurselingwithoutnourishment？Ihavetoldthestory；letthereaderdecide。
　　Thisinstinctivepredisposition，whichdoesnotleavetheinsectfreetoactand，throughthatveryfact，savesitfromerror，burstsforthunderyetanotheraspect。LetusgranttheBeeasmuchjudgmentasyouplease。Thusendowed，willshebecapableofmetingoutthefuture’slarva’sportion？Bynomeans。TheBeedoesnotknowwhatthatportionis。Thereisnothingtotellthematerfamilias；andyet，atherfirstattempt，shefillsthehoney-pottotherequisitedepth。True，inherchildhoodshereceivedasimilarration，butsheconsumeditinthedarknessofacell；andbesides，asagrub，shewasblind。Sightwasnotherinformant：itdidnottellherthequantityoftheprovisions。
　　Didmemory，thememoryofthestomachthatoncedigestedthem？Butdigestiontookplaceayearago；andsincethatdistantepoch，thenurseling，nowanadultinsect，haschangeditsshape，itsdwelling，itsmodeoflife。Itwasagrub；itisaBee。Doestheactualinsectrememberthatchildhood’smeal？Nomorethanwerememberthesupsofmilkdrawnfromourmother’sbreast。TheBee，therefore，knowsnothingofthequantityofprovisionsneededbyherlarva，whetherfrommemory，fromexampleorfromacquiredexperience。Thenwhatguidesherwhenshemakesherestimatewithsuchprecision？Judgmentandsightwouldleavethemothergreatlyperplexed，liabletoprovidetoomuchornotenough。Toinstructherbeyondthepossibilityofamistakedemandsaspecialtendency，anunconsciousimpulse，aninstinct，aninwardvoicethatdictatesthemeasuretobeapportioned。
　　CHAPTER8。PARASITES。
　　InAugustorSeptember，letusgointosomegorgewithbareandsun-
　　scorchedsides。Whenwefindaslopewell-bakedbythesummerheat，aquietcornerwiththetemperatureofanoven，wewillcallahalt：
　　thereisafineharvesttobegatheredthere。ThistropicallandisthenativesoilofahostofWaspsandBees，someofthembusilypilingthehouseholdprovisionsinundergroundwarehouses：hereastackofWeevils，LocustsorSpiders，thereawholeassortmentofFlies，Bees，MantesorCaterpillars，whileothersarestoringuphoneyinmembranouswalletsorclaypots，orelseincottonybagsorurnsmadewiththepunched-outdisksofleaves。
　　Withtheindustriousfolkwhogoquietlyabouttheirbusiness，thelabourers，masons，foragers，warehousers，minglestheparasitictribe，theprowlershurryingfromonehometothenext，lyinginwaitatthedoors，watchingforafavourableopportunitytosettletheirfamilyattheexpenseofothers。
　　Aheart-rendingstruggle，intruth，isthatwhichrulestheinsectworldandinameasureourownworldtoo。Nosoonerhasaworker，bydintofexhaustinglabour，amassedafortuneforhischildrenthanthenon-producerscomehasteninguptocontendforitspossession。Toonewhoamassestherearesometimesfive，sixormorebentuponhisruin；
　　andoftenitendsnotmerelyinrobberybutinblackmurder。Theworker’sfamily，theobjectofsomuchcare，forwhomthathomewasbuiltandthoseprovisionsstored，succumb，devouredbytheintruders，directlythelittlebodieshaveacquiredthesoftroundnessofyouth。
　　Shutupinacellthatisclosedoneveryside，protectedbyitssilkencovering，thegrub，onceitsvictualsareconsumed，sinksintoaprofoundslumber，duringwhichtheorganicchangesneededforthefuturetransformationtakeplace。Forthisnewhatching，whichistoturnagrubintoaBee，forthisgeneralremodelling，thedelicacyofwhichdemandsabsoluterepose，alltheprecautionsthatmakeforsafetyhavebeentaken。
　　Theseprecautionswillbefoiled。Theenemywillsucceedinpenetratingtheimpregnablefortress；eachfoehashisspecialtactics，contrivedwithappallingskill。See，aneggisinsertedbymeansofaprobebesidethetorpidlarva；orelse，intheabsenceofsuchanimplement，aninfinitesimalgrub，anatom，comescreepingandcrawling，slipsinandreachesthesleeper，whowillneverwakeagain，alreadyasucculentmorselforherferociousvisitor。Theinterlopermakesthevictim’scellandcocoonhisowncellandhisowncocoon；
　　andnextyear，insteadofthemistressofthehouse，therewillcomefrombelowgroundthebanditwhousurpedthedwellingandconsumedtheoccupant。
　　Lookatthisone，stripedblack，whiteandred，withthefigureofaclumsy，hairyAnt。Sheexplorestheslopeonfoot，inspectseverynookandcorner，soundsthesoilwithherantennae。SheisaMutilla，thescourgeofthecradledgrubs。Thefemalehasnowings，but，beingaWasp，shecarriesasharpponiard。TonoviceeyesshewouldeasilypassforasortofrobustAnt，distinguishedfromthecommonruckbyhergarbofstaringmotley。Themale，wide-wingedandmoregracefullyshaped，hoversincessantlyafewinchesabovethesandyexpanse。Forhoursatatime，onthesamespot，afterthemanneroftheScolia-wasphespiesthecomingofthefemalesoutoftheground。Ifourwatchbepatientandpersevering，weshallseethemother，aftertrottingaboutforabit，stopsomewhereandbegintoscratchanddig，finallylayingbareasubterraneangallery，ofwhichtherewasnothingtobetraytheentrance；butshecandiscernwhatisinvisibletous。Shepenetratesintotheabode，remainsthereforawhileandatlastreappearstoreplacetherubbishandclosethedoorasitwasatthestart。Theabominabledeedisdone：theMutilla’segghasbeenlaidinanother’scocoon，besidetheslumberinglarvaonwhichthenewborngrubwillfeed。
　　Hereareothers，allaglitterwithmetallicgleams：gold，emerald，blueandpurple。Theyarethehumming-birdsoftheinsect-world，theChrysis-wasps，orGoldenWasps，anothersetofexterminatorsofthelarvaeovercomewithlethargyintheircocoons。Inthem，theatrociousassassinofcradledchildrenlieshiddenunderthesplendourofthegarb。Oneofthem，halfemeraldandhalfpale-pink，Parnopescarneabyname，boldlyenterstheburrowofBembexrostrataattheverymomentwhenthemotherisathome，bringingafreshpiecetoherlarva，whomshefeedsfromdaytoday。Totheelegantcriminal，unskilledinnavvy’swork，thisistheonemomenttofindthedooropen。Ifthemotherwereaway，thehousewouldbeshutup；andtheGoldenWasp，thatsneak-thiefinroyalrobes，couldnotgetin。Sheenters，therefore，dwarfassheis，thehouseofthegiantesswhoseruinsheismeditating；shemakesherwayrighttotheback，allheedlessoftheBembex，herstingandherpowerfuljaws。Whatcaresshethatthehomeisnotdeserted？Eitherunmindfulofthedangerorparalysedwithterror，theBembexmotherletsherhaveherway。
　　Theunconcernoftheinvadedisequalledonlybytheboldnessoftheinvader。HaveInotseentheAnthophora-bee，atthedoortoherdwelling，standalittletoonesideandmakeroomfortheMelectatoenterthehoney-stockedcellsandsubstituteherfamilyfortheunhappyparent’s？Onewouldthinkthattheyweretwofriendsmeetingonthethreshold，onegoingin，theotherout！
　　Itiswritteninthebookoffate：everythingshallhappenwithoutimpedimentintheburrowoftheBembex；andnextyear，ifweopenthecellsofthatmightyhuntressofGad-flies，weshallfindsomewhichcontainarusset-silkcocoon，theshapeofathimblewithitsorificeclosedwithaflatlid。Inthissilkytabernacle，whichisprotectedbythehardoutershell，isaParnopescarnea。AsforthegruboftheBembex，thatgrubwhichwovethesilkandnextencrustedtheoutercasingwithsand，ithasdisappearedentirely，allbutthetatteredremnantsofitsskin。Disappearedhow？TheGoldenWasp’sgrubhaseatenit。
　　Anotherofthesesplendidmalefactorsisdeckedinlapis-lazulionthethoraxandinFlorentinebronzeandgoldontheabdomen，withaterminalscarfofazure。ThenomenclatorshavechristenedherStilbumcalens，FAB。WhenEumenesAmedei（AspeciesofMason-wasp。——
　　Translator’sNote。）hasbuiltontherockheragglomerationofdome-
　　shapedcells，withacasingoflittlepebblessetintheplaster，whenthestoreofCaterpillarsisconsumedandthesecludedoneshavehungtheirapartmentswithsilk，weseetheStilbumtakeherstandontheinviolablecitadel。Nodoubtsomeimperceptiblecranny，somedefectinthecement，allowshertoinsertherovipositor，whichshootsoutlikeaprobe。Atanyrate，abouttheendofthefollowingMay，theEumenes’
　　chambercontainsacocoonwhichagainisshapedlikeathimble。FromthiscocooncomesaStilbumcalens。ThereisnothingleftoftheEumenes’grub：theGoldenWasphasgorgedherselfuponit。
　　Fliesplaynosmallpartinthisbrigandage。Noraretheytheleasttobedreaded，weaklingsthoughtheybe，sometimessofeeblethatthecollectordarenottaketheminhisfingersforfearofcrushingthem。
　　Therearesomecladinvelvetsoextraordinarilydelicatethattheleasttouchrubsitoff。Theyarefluffsofdownalmostasfrail，intheirsoftelegance，asthecrystallineedificeofasnowflakebeforeittouchesground。TheyarecalledBombylii。
　　Withthisfragilityofstructureiscombinedanincomparablepowerofflight。Seethisone，hoveringmotionlesstwofeetabovetheground。
　　Herwingsvibratesorapidlythattheyappeartobeinrepose。Theinsectlooksasthoughitwerehungatonepointinspacebysomeinvisiblethread。Youmakeamovement；andtheBombyliushasdisappeared。Youcastyoureyesinsearchofheraroundyou，faraway，judgingthedistancebythevigourofherflight。Thereisnothinghere，nothingthere。Thenwhereisshe？Closebyyou。Lookatthepointwhenceshestarted：theBombyliusisthereagain，hoveringmotionless。Fromthisaerialobservatory，asquicklyrecoveredasquitted，sheinspectstheground，watchingforthefavourablemomenttoestablishhereggatthecostofanothercreature’sdestruction。
　　Whatdoesshecovetforheroffspring：thehoney-cupboard，thestoresofgame，thelarvaeintheirtransformation-sleep？Idonotknowyet，WhatIdoknowisthatherslenderlegsandherdaintyvelvetdressdonotallowhertomakeundergroundsearches。Whenshehasfoundthepropitiousplace，suddenlyshewillswoopdown，layhereggonthesurfaceinthatlightningtouchwiththetipofherabdomenandstraightwayflyupagain。WhatIsuspect，forreasonssetforthpresently，isthatthegrubthatcomesoutoftheBombylius’eggmust，ofitsownmotion，atitsownriskandperil，reachthevictualswhichthemotherknowstobecloseathand。Shehasnostrengthtodomore；
　　anditisforthenew-borngrubtomakeitswayintotherefectory。
　　IambetteracquaintedwiththemanoeuvresofcertainTachinae，thetiniestofpale-greyFlies，who，coweringonthesandinthesun，intheneighbourhoodofaburrow，patientlyawaitthehouratwhichtostrikethefellblow。LetaBembex-waspreturnfromthechase，withherGad-fly；aPhilanthus，withherBee；aCerceris，withherWeevil；
　　aTachytes，withherLocust：straightwaytheparasitesarethere，comingandgoing，turningandtwistingwiththeWasp，alwaysatherrear，withoutallowingthemselvestobeputoffbyanycautiousfeints。Atthemomentwhenthehuntressgoesindoors，withhercapturedgamebetweenherlegs，theyflingthemselvesonherprey，whichisonthepointofdisappearingunderground，andnimblylaytheireggsuponit。Thethingisdoneinthetwinklingofaneye：
　　beforethethresholdiscrossed，thecarcaseholdsthegermsofanewsetofguests，whowillfeedonvictualsnotamassedforthemandstarvethechildrenofthehousetodeath。
　　Thisother，restingontheburningsand，isalsoamemberoftheFlytribe；sheisanAnthrax。（Cf。"TheLifeoftheFly"：chapter2。——
　　Translator’sNote。）Shehaswidewings，spreadhorizontally，halfsmokedandhalftransparent。Shewearsadressofvelvet，liketheBombylius，hernearneighbourintheofficialregisters；but，thoughthesoftdownissimilarinfineness，itisverydifferentincolour。
　　AnthraxisGreekforcoal。Itisahappydenomination，remindingusoftheFly’smourninglivery，acoal-blackliverywithsilvertears。ThesamedeepmourninggarbsthoseparasiticBees，andthesearetheonlyinstancesknowntomeofthatviolentoppositionofdeadblackandwhite。
　　Nowadays，whenmeninterpreteverythingwithgloriousassurance，whentheyexplaintheLion’stawnymaneasduetothecolouroftheAfricandesert，attributetheTiger’sdarkstripestothestreaksofshadowcastbythebamboosandextricateanynumberofothermagnificentthingswiththesamefacilityfromthemistsoftheunknown，IshouldnotbesorrytohearwhattheyhavetosayoftheMelecta，theCrocisaandtheAnthraxandoftheoriginoftheirexceptionalcostume。
　　Theword’mimesis’hasbeeninventedfortheexpresspurposeofdesignatingtheanimal’ssupposedfacultyofadaptingitselftoitsenvironmentbyimitatingtheobjectsaroundit，atleastinthematterofcolouring。Wearetoldthatitusesthisfacultytobaffleitsfoes，orelsetoapproachitspreywithoutalarmingit。Findingitselfthebetterforthisdissimulation，asourceofprosperityindeed，eachrace，siftedbythestruggleforlife，isconsideredtohavepreservedthosebest-endowedwithmimeticpowersandtohaveallowedtheotherstobecomeextinct，thusgraduallyconvertingintoafixedcharacteristicwhatatfirstwasbutacasualacquisition。TheLarkbecameearth-colouredinordertohidehimselffromtheeyesofthebirdsofpreywhenpeckinginthefields；theCommonLizardadoptedagrass-greentintinordertoblendwiththefoliageofthethicketsinwhichhelurks；theCabbage-caterpillarguardedagainstthebird’sbeakbytakingthecolouroftheplantonwhichitfeeds。Andsowiththerest。
　　Inmycallowyouth，thesecomparisonswouldhaveinterestedme：Iwasjustripeforthatkindofscience。Intheevenings，onthestrawofthethreshing-floor，weusedtotalkoftheDragon，themonsterwhich，toinveiglepeopleandsnapthemupwithgreatercertainty，becameindistinguishablefromarock，thetrunkofatree，abundleoftwigs。
　　Sincethosehappydaysofartlesscredulity，scepticismhaschilledmyimaginationtosomeextent。BywayofaparallelwiththethreeexampleswhichIhavequoted，IaskmyselfwhytheWhiteWagtail，whoseekshisfoodinthefurrowsasdoestheLark，hasawhiteshirt-
　　frontsurmountedbyamagnificentblackstock。Thisdressisoneofthosemosteasilypickedoutatadistanceagainsttherustycolourofthesoil。Whencethisneglecttopractisemimesis，’protectivemimicry’？Hehaseveryneedofit，poorfellow，quiteasmuchashiscompanioninthefields！
　　WhyistheEyedLizardofProvenceasgreenastheCommonLizard，consideringthatheshunsverdureandchoosesashishaunt，inthebrightsunlight，somechinkinthenakedrockswherenotsomuchasatuftofmossgrows？If，tocapturehistinyprey，hisbrotherinthecopsesandthehedgesthoughtitnecessarytodissembleandconsequentlytodyehispearl-embroideredcoat，howcomesitthatthedenizenofthesun-blisteredrockspersistsinhisblue-and-greencolouring，whichatoncebetrayshimagainstthewhity-greystone？
　　Indifferenttomimicry，ishethelessskilfulBeetle-hunteronthataccount，ishisracedegenerating？Ihavestudiedhimsufficientlytobeabletodeclarewithpositivecertaintythathecontinuestothrivebothinnumbersandinvigour。
　　WhyhastheSpurge-caterpillaradoptedforitsdressthegaudiestcoloursandthosewhichcontrastmostwiththegreenoftheleaveswhichitfrequents？Whydoesitflauntitsred，blackandwhiteinpatchesclashingviolentlywithoneanother？WoulditnotbeworthitswhiletofollowtheexampleoftheCabbage-caterpillarandimitatetheverdureoftheplantthatfeedsit？Hasitnoenemies？Ofcourseithas：whichofus，animalsandmen，hasnot？
　　Astringofthesewhyscouldbeextendedindefinitely。Itwouldgivemeamusement，didmytimepermitme，tocountereachexampleofprotectivemimicrywithahostofexamplestothecontrary。Whatmanneroflawisthiswhichhasatleastninety-nineexceptionsinahundredcases？Poorhumannature！Thereisadeceptiveagreementbetweenafewactualfactsandthetheorywhichwearesofoolishlyreadytobelieve；andstraightwayweinterpretthefactsinthelightofthetheory。Inaspeckoftheimmenseunknownwecatchaglimpseofaphantomtruth，ashadow，awill-o’-the-wisp；oncetheatomisexplained，forbetterorworse，weimaginethatweholdtheexplanationoftheuniverseandallthatitcontains；andweforthwithshout：
　　’ThegreatlawofNature！Beholdtheinfalliblelaw！’
　　Meanwhile，thediscordantfacts，aninnumerablehost，clamouratthegatesofthelaw，beingunabletogainadmittance。
　　AtthedoorofthatinfinitelyrestrictedlawclamourthegreattribeofGoldenWasps，whosedazzlingsplendour，worthyofthewealthofGolconda，clasheswiththedingycolouroftheirhaunts。Todeceivetheeyesoftheirbird-tyrants，theSwift，theSwallow，theChatandtheothers，theseChrysis-wasps，whoglowlikeacarbuncle，likeanuggetinthemidstofitsdarkveinstone，certainlydonotadaptthemselvestothesandandtheclayoftheirdowns。TheGreenGrasshopper，wearetold，thoughtoutaplanforgullinghisenemiesbyidentifyinghimselfincolourwiththegrassinwhichhedwells，whereastheWasp，sorichininstinctandstrategy，allowedherselftobedistancedintheracebythedull-wittedLocust！Ratherthanadaptherselfastheotherdoes，shepersistsinherincrediblesplendour，whichbetraysherfromafartoeveryinsect-eaterandinparticulartothelittleGreyLizard，wholieshungrilyinwaitforherontheoldsun-tapestriedwalls。Sheremainsruby，emeraldandturquoiseamidsthergreyenvironment；andherracethrivesnonetheworse。
　　Theenemythateatsyouisnottheonlyonetobedeceived；mimesismustalsoplayitscolour-tricksonhimwhomyouhavetoeat。SeetheTigerinhisjungle，seethePrayingMantisonhergreenbranch。（ForthePrayingMantis，cf。"SocialLifeintheInsectWorld"，byJ。H。
　　Fabre，translatedbyBernardMiall：chapters5to7。——Translator’sNote。）Astutemimicryisevenmorenecessarywhentheonetobedupedisanamphitryonatwhosecosttheparasite’sfamilyistobeestablished。TheTachinaeseemtodeclareasmuch：theyaregreyorgreyish，ofacolourasundecidedasthedustysoilonwhichtheycowerwhilewaitingforthearrivalofthehuntressladenwithhercapture。Buttheydissembleinvain：theBembex，thePhilanthusandtheothersseethemfromabove，beforetouchingground；theyrecognizethemperfectlyatadistance，despitetheirgreycostume。Andsotheyhoverprudentlyabovetheburrowandstrive，bysuddenfeints，tomisleadthetraitorouslittleFly，who，onherside，knowsherbusinesstoowelltoallowherselftobeenticedawayortoleavethespotwheretheotherisboundtoreturn。No，athousandtimesno：
　　clay-colouredthoughtheybe，theTachinaehavenobetterchanceofattainingtheirendsthanahostofotherparasiteswhoseclothingisnotofgreyfriezetomatchthelocalityfrequented，aswitnesstheglitteringChrysis，ortheMelectaandtheCrocisa，withtheirwhitespotsonablackground。
　　Wearealsotoldthat，thebettertocozenhisamphitryon，theparasiteadoptsmoreorlessthesameshapeandcolouring；heturnshimself，inappearance，intoaharmlessneighbour，aworkerbelongingtothesameguild。InstancethePsithyrus，wholivesattheexpenseoftheBumble-bee。Butinwhat，ifyouplease，doesParnopescarnearesembletheBembexintowhosehomeshepenetratesinherpresence？InwhatdoestheMelectaresembletheAnthophora，whostandsasideonherthresholdtoletherpass？Thedifferenceofcostumeismoststriking。
　　TheMelecta’sdeepmourninghasnaughtincommonwiththeAnthophora’srussetcoat。TheParnopes’emerald-and-carminethoraxpossessesnottheleastfeatureofresemblancewiththeblack-and-yellowliveryoftheBembex。AndthisChrysisalsoisadwarfincomparisonwiththeardentNimrodwhogoeshuntingGad-flies。
　　Besides，whatacuriousidea，tomaketheparasite’ssuccessdependuponamoreorlessfaithfullikenesswiththeinsecttoberobbed！
　　Why，theimitationwouldhaveexactlytheoppositeeffect！WiththeexceptionoftheSocialBees，whoworkatacommontask，failurewouldbecertain，forhere，asamongmankind，twoofatradeneveragree。AnOsmia，anAnthophora，aChalicodomahadbetterbecarefulnottopokeanindiscreetheadinatherneighbour’sdoor：asounddrubbingwouldsoonrecallhertoasenseoftheproprieties。Shemighteasilyfindherselfwithadislocatedshoulderoramangledleginreturnforasimplevisitwhichwasperhapspromptedbynoevilintention。Eachforherselfinherownstronghold。Butletaparasiteappear，meditatingfoulplay：that’saverydifferentthing。ShecanwearthetrappingsofHarlequinorofachurch-beadle；shecanbetheClerus-beetle，inwing-casesofvermilionwithbluetrimmings，ortheDioxys-bee，witharedscarfacrossherblackabdomen，andthemistressofthehousewillletherhaveherway，or，ifshebecometoopressing，willdriveheroffwithamereflickofherwing。Withher，thereisnoseriousfray，nofiercefight。TheBludgeonisreservedforthefriendofthefamily。NowgoandpracticeyourmimesisinordertoreceiveawelcomefromtheAnthophoraortheChalicodoma！Afewhoursspentwiththeinsectsthemselveswillturnanyoneintoahardenedscofferattheseartlesstheories。
　　Tosumup，mimesis，inmyeyes，isapieceofchildishness。WereInotanxioustoremainpolite，Ishouldsaythatitissheerstupidity；andthewordwouldexpressmymeaningbetter。Thevarietyofcombinationsinthedomainofpossiblethingsisinfinite。Itisundeniablethat，hereandthere，casesoccurinwhichtheanimalharmonizeswithsurroundingobjects。Itwouldevenbeverystrangeifsuchcaseswereexcludedfromactuality，sinceeverythingispossible。Buttheserarecoincidencesarefaced，underexactlysimilarconditions，byinconsistenciessostronglymarkedandsonumerousthat，havingfrequencyontheirside，theyought，inalllogic，toserveasthebasisofthelaw。Here，onefactsaysyes；there，athousandfactssayno。Towhichevidenceshallwelendanear？Ifweonlywishtobolsterupatheory，itwouldbeprudenttolistentoneither。Thehowandwhyescapesus；whatwedignifywiththepretentioustitleofalawisbutawayoflookingatthingswithourmind，averysquint-eyedway，whichweadoptfortherequirementsofourcase。Ourwould-belawscontainbutaninfinitesimalshadeofreality；oftenindeedtheyarebutpuffedoutwithvainimaginings。Suchisthelawofmimesis，whichexplainstheGreenGrasshopperbythegreenleavesinwhichthisLocustsettlesandissilentastotheCrioceris，thatcoral-redBeetlewholivesonthenolessgreenleavesofthelily。
　　Anditisnotonlyamistakeninterpretation：itisaclumsypitfallinwhichnovicesallowthemselvestobecaught。Novices，didIsay？
　　Thegreatestexpertsthemselvesfallintothetrap。Oneofourmastersofentomologydidmethehonourtovisitmylaboratory。Iwasshowingmycollectionofparasites。Oneofthem，cladinblackandyellow，attractedhisattention。
　　’This，’saidhe，’isobviouslyaparasiteoftheWasps。’
　　Surprisedatthestatement，Iinterposed：
　　’Bywhatsignsdoyouknowher？’
　　’Whylook：it’stheexactcolouringoftheWasp，amixtureofblackandyellow。Itisamoststrikingcaseofmimesis。’
　　’Justso；nevertheless，ourblack-and-yellowfriendisaparasiteoftheChalicodomaoftheWalls，whohasnothingincommon，eitherinshapeorcolour，withtheWasp。ThisisaLeucopsis，notoneofwhomenterstheWasps’nest。’
　　’Thenmimesis……？’
　　’Mimesisisanillusionwhichweshoulddowelltorelegatetooblivion。’
　　And，withtheevidence，awholeseriesofconclusiveexamples，infrontofhim，mylearnedvisitoradmittedwithagoodgracethathisfirstconvictionswerebasedonamostludicrousfoundation。
　　Apieceofadvicetobeginners：youwillgowrongathousandtimesforoncethatyouarerightif，whenanxioustoobtainaprematuresightoftheprobablehabitsofaninsect，youtakemimesisasyourguide。
　　Withmimesisaboveall，itiswise，whenthelawsaysthatathingisblack，firsttoenquirewhetheritdoesnothappentobewhite。
　　Letusgoontomoreserioussubjectsandenquireintoparasitismitself，withouttroublinganylongeraboutthecostumeoftheparasite。Accordingtoetymology，aparasiteisonewhoeatsanother’sbread，onewholivesontheprovisionsofothers。Entomologyoftenaltersthistermfromitsrealmeaning。ThusitdescribesasparasitestheChrysis，theMutilla，theAnthrax，theLeucopsis，allofwhomfeedtheirfamilynotontheprovisionsamassedbyothers，butontheverylarvaewhichhaveconsumedthoseprovisions，theiractualproperty。
　　WhentheTachinaehavesucceededinlayingtheireggsonthegamewarehousedbytheBembex，theburrower’shomeisinvadedbyrealparasites，inthestrictsenseoftheword。AroundtheheapofGad-
　　flies，collectedsolelyforthechildrenofthehouse，newguestsforcetheirway，numerousandhungry，andwithouttheleastceremonyplungeintothethickofit。Theysitdowntoatablethatwasnotlaidforthem；theyeatsidebysidewiththelawfulowner；andthisinsuchhastethathediesofstarvation，thoughheisrespectedbytheteethoftheinterloperswhohavegorgedthemselvesonhisportion。
　　WhentheMelectahassubstitutedhereggfortheAnthophora’s，hereagainweseearealparasitesettlingintheusurpedcell。Thepileofhoneylaboriouslygatheredbythemotherwillnotevenbebrokeninuponbythenurselingforwhichitwasintended。Anotherwillprofitbyit，withnonetosayhimnay。TachinaeandMelectae：thosearethetrueparasites，consumersofothers’goods。
　　CanwesayasmuchoftheChrysisortheMutilla？Innowise。TheScoliae，whosehabitsareknowntous，arecertainlynotparasites。
　　（ThehabitsoftheScolia-wasphavebeendescribedindifferentessaysnotyettranslatedintoEnglish。——Translator’sNote。）Noonewillaccusethemofstealingthefoodofothers。Zealousworkers，theyseekandfindundergroundthefatgrubsonwhichtheirfamilywillfeed。
　　Theyfollowthechasebyvirtueofthesamequalityasthemostrenownedhunters，Cerceris，SphexorAmmophila；only，insteadofremovingthegametoaspeciallair，theyleaveitwhereitis，downintheburrow。Homelesspoachers，theylettheirvenisonbeconsumedonthespotwhereitiscaught。
　　InwhatrespectdotheMutilla，theChrysis，theLeucopsis，theAnthraxandsomanyothersdiffer，intheirwayofliving，fromtheScolia？Itseemstome，innone。Seeforyourselves。Byanartificethatvariesaccordingtothemother’stalent，theirgrubs，eitherinthegerm-stageornewly-born，arebroughtintotouchwiththevictimthatistofeedthem：anunwoundedvictim，formostofthemarewithoutasting；alivevictim，butsteepedinthetorporofthecomingtransformationsandthusdeliveredwithoutdefencetothegrubthatistodevourit。
　　Withthem，aswiththeScoliae，mealsaremadeonthespotongamelegitimatelyacquiredbyindefatigablebattuesorbypatientstalkinginwhichalltheruleshavebeenobserved；only，theanimalhuntedisdefencelessanddoesnotneedtobelaidlowwithadagger-thrust。Toseekandfindforone’slarderatorpidpreyincapableofresistanceis，ifyoulike，lessmeritoriousthanheroicallytostabthestrong-
　　jawedRose-chaferorRhinoceros-beetle；butsincewhenhasthetitleofsportsmanbeendeniedtohimwhoblowsoutthebrainsofaharmlessRabbit，insteadofwaitingwithoutflinchingforthefuriouschargeoftheWildBoaranddrivinghishunting-knifeintohimbehindhisshoulder？Besides，iftheactualassaultiswithoutdanger，theapproachisattendedwithadifficultythatincreasesthemeritofthesesecond-ratepoachers。Thecovetedgameisinvisible。Itisconfinedinthestrongholdofacellandmoreoverprotectedbythesurroundingwallofacocoon。Ofwhatprowessmustnotthemotherbecapabletodeterminetheexactspotatwhichitliesandtolayhereggonitssideoratleastcloseby？Forthesereasons，IboldlynumbertheChrysis，theMutillaandtheirrivalsamongthehuntersandreservetheignobletitleofparasitesfortheTachina，theMelecta，theCrocisa，theMeloe-beetle，inshort，forallthosewhofeedontheprovisionsofothers。
　　Allthingsconsidered，isignobletherightepithettoapplytoparasitism？Nodoubt，inthehumanrace，theidlerwhofeedsatotherpeople’stablesiscontemptibleatallpoints；butmusttheanimalbeartheburdenoftheindignationinspiredbyourownvices？Ourparasites，ourscurvyparasites，liveattheirneighbour’sexpense：
　　theanimalnever；andthischangesthewholeaspectofthequestion。I
　　knowofnoinstance，notone，exceptingman，ofparasiteswhoconsumetheprovisionshoardedbyaworkerofthesamespecies。Theremaybe，hereandthere，afewcasesoflarceny，ofcasualpillageamonghoardersbelongingtothesametrade：thatIamquitereadytoadmit，butitdoesnotaffectthings。WhatwouldbereallyseriousandwhatI
　　formallydenyisthat，inthesamezoologicalspecies，thereshouldbesomewhopossessedtheattributeoflivingattheexpenseoftherest。