第6章

InvaindoIconsultmymemoryandmynotes：mylongentomologicalcareerdoesnotfurnishmewithasolitaryexampleofsuchamisdeedasthatofaninsectleadingthelifeofaparasiteuponitsfellows。

WhentheChalicodomaoftheShedsworks，inherthousands，atherCyclopeanedifice，eachhasherownhome，asacredhomewherenotoneofthetumultuousswarm，excepttheproprietress，dreamsoftakingamouthfulofhoney。Itisasthoughtherewereaneighbourlyunderstandingtorespecttheothers’rights。Moreover，ifsomeheedlessonemistakeshercellandsomuchasalightsontherimofacupthatdoesnotbelongtoher，forthwiththeownerappears，admonishesherseverelyandsooncallshertoorder。But，ifthestoreofhoneyistheestateofsomedeceasedBee，orofsomewandererundulyprolongingherabsence，then——andthenalone——akinswomanseizesuponit。Thegoodswerewasteproperty，whichsheturnstoaccount；anditisaverypropereconomy。TheotherBeesandWaspsbehavelikewise：never，Isaynever，dowefindamongthemanidlerassiduouslyplanningtheconquestofherneighbour’spossessions。Noinsectisaparasiteonitsownspecies。

Whatthenisparasitism，ifonemustlookforitamonganimalsofdifferentraces？Lifeingeneralisbutavastbrigandage。Naturedevoursherself；matteriskeptalivebypassingfromonestomachintoanother。Atthebanquetoflife，eachisinturntheguestandthedish；theeaterofto-daybecomestheeatenoftomorrow；hodietibi，crasmihi。Everythinglivesonthatwhichlivesorhaslived；

everythingisparasitism。Manisthegreatparasite，theunbridledthiefofallthatisfittoeat。HestealsthemilkfromtheLamb，hestealsthehoneyfromthechildrenoftheBee，evenastheMelectapilfersthepottageoftheAnthophora’ssons。Thetwocasesaresimilar。Isittheviceofindolence？No，itisthefiercelawwhichforthelifeoftheoneexactsthedeathoftheother。

Inthisimplacablestruggleofdevourersanddevoured，ofpillagersandpillaged，ofrobbersandrobbed，theMelectadeservesnomorethanwethetitleofignoble；inruiningtheAnthophora，sheisbutimitatingmaninonedetail，manwhoistheinfinitesourceofdestruction。Herparasitismisnoblackerthanours：shehastofeedheroffspring；and，possessingnoharvesting-tools，ignorantbesidesoftheartofharvesting，sheusestheprovisionsofotherswhoarebetterendowedwithimplementsandtalents。Inthefierceriotofemptybellies，shedoeswhatshecanwiththegiftsatherdisposal。

CHAPTER9。THETHEORYOFPARASITISM。

TheMelectadoeswhatshecanwiththegiftsatherdisposal。Ishouldleaveitatthat，ifIhadnottotakeintoconsiderationagravechargebroughtagainsther。Sheisaccusedofhavinglost，forwantofuseandthroughlaziness，theworkman’stoolswithwhich，sowearetold，shewasoriginallyendowed。Findingittoheradvantagetodonothing，bringingupherfamilyfreeofexpense，tothedetrimentofothers，sheisallegedtohavegraduallyinspiredherracewithanabhorrenceforwork。Theharvesting-tools，lessandlessoftenemployed，dwindledandperishedasorganshavingnofunction；thespecieschangedintoadifferentone；andfinallyidlenessturnedthehonestworkeroftheoutsetintoaparasite。Thisbringsustoaverysimpleandseductivetheoryofparasitism，worthytobediscussedwithallrespect。Letussetitforth。

Somemother，nearingtheendofherlaboursandinahurrytolayhereggs，found，letussuppose，someconvenientcellsprovisionedbyherfellows。Therewasnotimefornest-buildingandforaging；ifshewouldsaveherfamily，shemustperforceappropriatethefruitofanother’stoil。Thusrelievedofthetediumandfatigueofwork，freedofeverycarebutthatoflayingeggs，sheleftaprogenywhichdulyinheritedthematernalslothfulnessandhandedthisdowninitsturn，inamoreandmoreaccentuatedform，asgenerationfollowedongeneration；forthestruggleforlifemadethisexpeditiouswayofestablishingyourselfoneofthemostfavourableconditionsforthesuccessoftheoffspring。Atthesametime，theorgansofwork，leftunemployed，becameatrophiedanddisappeared，whilecertaindetailsofshapeandcolouringweremodifiedmoreorless，soastoadaptthemselvestothenewcircumstances。Thustheparasiticracewasdefinitelyestablished。

Thisrace，however，wasnottoogreatlytransformedforustobeable，incertaincases，totraceitsorigin。Theparasitehasretainedmorethanonefeatureofthoseindustriousancestors。So，forinstance，thePsithyrusisextremelyliketheBumble-bee，whoseparasiteanddescendantsheis。TheStelispreservestheancestralcharacteristicsoftheAnthidium；theCoelioxys-beerecallstheLeaf-cutter。

Thusspeaktheevolutionists，withawealthofevidencederivednotonlyfromcorrespondenceingeneralappearance，butalsofromsimilarityinthemostminuteparticulars。Nothingissmall：Iamasmuchconvincedofthatasanyman；andIadmiretheextraordinaryprecisionofthedetailsfurnishedasabasisforthetheory。ButamI

convinced？Rightlyorwrongly，myturnofminddoesnotholdminutiaeofstructureingreatfavour：ajointofthepalpileavesmerathercold；atuftofbristlesdoesnotappeartomeanunanswerableargument。Iprefertoquestionthecreaturedirectandtoletitdescribeitspassions，itsmodeoflife，itsaptitudes。Havinghearditsevidence，weshallseewhatbecomesofthetheoryofparasitism。

Beforecallinguponittospeak，whyshouldInotsaywhatIhaveonmymind？Andmarkme，firstofall，Idonotlikethatlazinesswhichissaidtofavourtheanimal’sprosperity。IhavealsobelievedandI

stillpersistinbelievingthatactivityalonestrengthensthepresentandensuresthefuturebothofanimalsandmen。Toactistolive；toworkistogoforward。Theenergyofaraceismeasuredbytheaggregateofitsaction。

No，Idonotlikeitatall，thisidlenesssomuchcommendedofscience。Wehavequiteenoughofthesezoologicalbrutalities：man，thesonoftheApe；duty，afoolishprejudice；conscience，alureforthesimple；genius，neurosis；patriotism，jingoheroics；thesoul，aproductofprotoplasmicenergies；God，apuerilemyth。Letusraisethewar-whoopandgooutforscalps；wearehereonlytodevouroneanother；thesummumbonumistheChicagopacker’sdollar-chest！

Enough，quiteenoughofthat，withouthavingtransformismnexttobreakdownthesacredlawofwork。Iwillnotholditresponsibleforourmoralruin；ithasnotasturdyenoughshouldertoeffectsuchabreach；butstillithasdoneitsworst。

No，oncemore，Idonotlikethosebrutalitieswhich，denyingallthatgivessomedignitytoourwretchedlife，stifleourhorizonunderanextinguisherofmatter。Oh，don’tcomeandforbidmetothink，thoughitwerebutadream，ofaresponsiblehumanpersonality，ofconscience，ofduty，ofthedignityoflabour！Everythingislinkedtogether：iftheanimalisbetteroff，asregardsbothitselfanditsrace，fordoingnothingandexploitingothers，whyshouldman，itsdescendant，showgreaterscruples？Theprinciplethatidlenessisthemotherofprosperitywouldcarryusfarindeed。Ihavesaidenoughonmyownaccount；Iwillcallupontheanimalsthemselves，moreeloquentthanI。

Arewesoverysurethatparasitichabitscomefromaloveofinaction？Didtheparasitebecomewhatheisbecausehefounditexcellenttodonothing？Isreposesogreatanadvantagetohimthatheabjuredhisancientcustomsinordertoobtainit？Well，sinceI

havebeenstudyingtheBeewhoendowsherfamilywiththepropertyofothers，Ihavenotyetseenanythinginherthatpointstoslothfulness。Onthecontrary，theparasiteleadsalaboriouslife，harderthanthatoftheworker。Watchheronaslopeblisteredbythesun。Howbusysheis，howanxious！Howbrisklyshecoverseveryinchoftheradiantexpanse，howindefatigablesheisinherendlessquests；inhervisits，whicharegenerallyfruitless！Beforecominguponanestthatsuitsher，shehasdivedahundredtimesintocavitiesofnovalue，intogalleriesnotyetvictualled。Andthen，howeverkindlyherhost，theparasiteisnotalwayswellreceivedinthehostelry。No，itisnotallrosesinhertrade。Theexpenditureoftimeandlabourwhichshefindsnecessaryinordertohouseaneggmayeasilyequalorevenexceedthatoftheworkerinbuildinghercellandfillingitwithhoney。Thatindustriousonehasregularandcontinuouswork，anexcellentconditionforsuccessinheregg-laying；

theotherhasathanklessandprecarioustask，atthemercyofathousandaccidentswhichendangerthegreatundertakingofinstallingtheeggs。OnehasonlytowatchtheprolongedhesitationofaCoelioxysseekingfortheLeaf-cutters’cellstorecognizethattheusurpationofanother’snestisnoteffectedwithoutseriousdifficulties。Ifsheturnedparasiteinordertomaketherearingofheroffspringeasierandmoreprosperous，certainlyshewasveryill-

inspired。Insteadofrest，hardwork；insteadofaflourishingfamily，ameagreprogeny。

Togeneralities，whicharenecessarilyvague，wewilladdsomeprecisefacts。AcertainStelis（Stelisnasuta，LATR。）isaparasiteoftheMason-beeoftheWalls。WhentheChalicodomahasfinishedbuildingherdomeofcellsuponherpebble，theparasiteappears，makesalonginspectionoftheoutsideofthehomeandproposes，punyassheis，tointroducehereggsintothiscementfortress。Everythingismostcarefullyclosed：alayerofroughplaster，atleasttwo-fifthsofaninchthick，entirelycoversthecentralaccumulationofcells，whichareeachofthemsealedwithathickmortarplug。Anditisthehoneyofthesewell-guardedchambersthathastobereachedbypiercingawallalmostashardasrock。

Theparasitepluckilysetsto；theidlerbecomesagluttonforwork。

Atombyatom，sheperforatesthegeneralenclosureandscoopsoutashaftjustsufficientforherpassage；shereachesthelidofthecellandgnawsituntilthecovetedprovisionsappearinsight。Itisaslowandpainfulprocess，inwhichthefeebleSteliswearsherselfout，forthemortarismuchthesameasRomancementinhardness。I

myselffindadifficultyinbreakingitwiththepointofmyknife。

Whatpatienteffort，then，thetaskrequiresfromtheparasite，withhertinypincers！

IdonotknowexactlyhowlongtheStelistakestomakeherentrance-

shaft，asIhaveneverhadtheopportunityorratherthepatiencetofollowtheworkfromstarttofinish；butwhatIdoknowisthataChalicodomaoftheWalls，incomparablylargerandstrongerthantheparasite，whendemolishingbeforemyeyesthelidofacellsealedonlythedaybefore，wasunabletocompleteherundertakinginoneafternoon。Ihadtocometoherassistanceinordertodiscover，beforetheendoftheday，theobjectofherhousebreaking。WhentheMason-bee’smortarhasonceset，itsresistanceisthatofstone。NowtheStelishasnotonlytopiercethelidofthehoney-store；shemustalsopiercethegeneralcasingofthenest。Whatatimeitmusttakehertogetthroughsuchatask，agiganticoneforherpoortools！

Itisdoneatlast，afterinfinitelabour。Thehoneyappears。TheStelisslipsthroughand，onthesurfaceoftheprovisions，sidebysidewiththeChalicodoma’seggs，thenumbervaryingfromtimetotime。Thevictualswillbethecommonpropertyofallthenewarrivals，whetherthesonofthehouseorstrangers。

Theviolateddwellingcannotremainasitis，exposedtomaraudersfromwithout；theparasitemustherselfwallupthebreachwhichshehascontrived。Thequondamhousebreakerbecomesabuilder。Atthefootofthepebble，theSteliscollectsalittleofthatredearthwhichcharacterizesourstonyplateausgrownwithlavenderandthyme；shemakesitintomortarbywettingitwithsaliva；andwiththepelletsthuspreparedshefillsuptheentrance-shaft，displayingallthecareandartofaregularmaster-mason。Only，theworkclashesincolourwiththeChalicodoma’s。TheBeegoesandgathershercementing-powderontheadjoininghigh-road，themetalofwhichconsistsofbrokenflint-stones，andveryseldomusestheredearthunderthepebblesupportingthenest。Thischoiceisapparentlydictatedbythefactthatthechemicalpropertiesoftheformeraremorelikelytoproduceasolidstructure。Thelimeoftheroad，mixedwithsaliva，yieldsahardercementthanredclaywoulddo。Atanyrate，theChalicodoma’snestismoreorlesswhitebecauseofthesourceofitsmaterials。

Whenaredspeck，afewmillimetreswide，appearsonthispalebackground，itisasuresignthataStelishasbeenthatway。Openthecellthatliesundertheredstain：weshallfindtheparasite’snumerousfamilyestablishedthere。Therustyspotisaninfallibleindicationthatthedwellinghasbeenviolated：atleast，itissoinmyneighbourhood，wherethesoilisasIhavedescribed。

WeseetheStelis，therefore，atfirstarabidminer，usinghermandiblesagainsttherock；nextakneaderofclayandaplastererrestoringbrokenceilings。Hertradedoesnotseemoneoftheleastarduous。Nowwhatdidshedobeforeshetooktoparasitism？Judgingfromherappearance，thetransformiststellusthatshewasanAnthidium，thatistosay，sheusedtogatherthesoftcotton-woolfromthedrystalksofthelanateplantsandfashionitintowallets，inwhichtoheapupthepollen-dustwhichshegleanedfromtheflowersbymeansofabrushcarriedonherabdomen。Orelse，springingfromagenusakintothecotton-workers，sheusedtobuildresinpartitionsinthespiralstairwayofadeadSnail。Suchwasthetradedrivenbyherancestors。

Really！So，toavoidslowandpainfulwork，toachieveaneasylife，togiveherselftheleisurefavourabletothesettlementofherfamily，theerstwhilecotton-presserorcollectorofresin-dropstooktognawinghardenedcement！Shewhooncesippedthenectarofflowersmadeuphermindtochewconcrete！Why，thepoorwretchtoilsatherfilinglikeagalley-slave！Shespendsmoretimeinrippingupacellthanitwouldtakehertomakeacottonwalletandfillitwithfood。

Ifshereallymeanttoprogress，todobetterinherowninterestandthatofherfamily，byabandoningthedelicateoccupationsoftheolddays，wemustconfessthatshehasmadeastrangemistake。Themistakewouldbenogreateriffingersaccustomedtofancy-weavingweretolayasidevelvetandsilkandproceedtohandlethequarryman’sblocksortobreakstonesontheroadside。

No，theanimaldoesnotcommitthefollyofvoluntarilyembitteringitslot；itdoesnot，inobediencetothepromptingsofidleness，giveuponeconditiontoembraceanotherandamoreirksome；shoulditblunderforonce，itwillnotinspireitsposteritywithawishtopersevereinacostlydelusion。No，theStelisneverabandonedthedelicateartofcotton-weavingtobreakdownwallsandtogrindcement，aclassofworkfartoounattractivetoeffacethememoryofthejoysofharvestingamidtheflowers。IndolencehasnotevolvedherfromanAnthidium。Shehasalwaysbeenwhatsheisto-day：apatientartificerinherownline，asteadyworkeratthetaskthathasfallentohershare。

Thathurriedmotherwhofirst，inremoteages，brokeintotheabodeofherfellowstosecureahomeforhereggsfoundthisunscrupulousmethod，soyoutellus，veryfavourabletothesuccessofherrace，byvirtueofitseconomyoftimeandtrouble。Theimpressionleftbythisnewpolicywassoprofoundthathereditybequeathedittoposterity，inever-increasingproportions，untilatlastparasitichabitsbecamedefinitelyfixed。TheChalicodomaoftheSheds，followedbytheThree-

hornedOsmia，willteachuswhattothinkofthisconjecture。

IhavedescribedinanearlierchaptermyinstallationofChalicodoma-

hivesagainstthewallsofaporchfacingthesouth。Here，onalevelwithmyhead，placedsothattheycaneasilybeobserved，hangsometilesremovedfromtheneighbouringroofsinwinter，togetherwiththeirenormousnestsandtheiroccupants。EveryMay，forfiveorsixyearsinsuccession，IhaveassiduouslywatchedtheworksofmyMason-

bees。FromthemassofmynotesonthesubjectItakethefollowingexperimentswhichbearuponthematterunderdiscussion。

Longago，whenIusedtoscatterahandfulofChalicodomaesomewayfromhome，inordertostudytheircapacityforfindingtheirnestagain，Inoticedthat，iftheyweretoolongabsent，thelaggardsfoundtheircellsclosedontheirreturn。Neighbourshadtakentheopportunitytolaytheireggsthere，afterfinishingthebuildingandstockingitwithprovisions。Theabandonedpropertybenefitedanother。

Onrealizingtheusurpation，theBeereturningfromherlongjourneysoonconsoledherselfforthemishap。Shebegantobreakthesealsofsomecellorother，adjoiningherown；therestletherhaveherway，beingdoubtlesstoobusywiththeirpresentlabourstoseekaquarrelwiththefreebooter。Assoonasshehaddestroyedthelid，theBee，withasortoffeverishhastethatburnedtorepaytheftbytheft，didalittlebuilding，didalittlevictualling，asthoughtoresumethethreadofheroccupations，destroyedtheegginbeing，laidherownandclosedthecellagain。Herewasatouchofnaturethatdeservedcarefulexamination。

Ateleveno’clockinthemorning，whentheworkisatitsheight，I

markhalf-a-scoreofChalicodomaewithdifferentcolours，todistinguishthemfromoneanother。Someareoccupiedwithbuilding，othersaredisgorginghoney。Imarkthecorrespondingcellsinthesameway。Assoonasthemarksarequitedry，IcatchthetenBees，placethemsinglyinscrewsofpaperandshutthemallinaboxuntilthenextmorning。Aftertwenty-fourhours’captivity，theprisonersarereleased。Duringtheirabsence，theircellshavedisappearedunderalayerofrecentstructures；or，ifstillexposedtoview，theyareclosedandothershavemadeuseofthem。

Assoonastheyarefree，thetenBees，withoneexception，returntotheirrespectivetiles。Theydomorethanthis，soaccurateistheirmemory，despitetheconfusionresultingfromaprolongedincarceration：theyreturntothecellwhichtheyhavebuilt，thebelovedstolencell；theyminutelyexploretheoutsideofit，oratleastwhatliesnearesttoit，ifthecellhasdisappearedunderthenewstructures。Incaseswherethehomeisnothenceforwardinaccessible，itisatleastoccupiedbyastrangeeggandthedoorissecurelyfastened。Tothisreverseoffortunetheoustedonesretortwiththebrutallextalionis：aneggforanegg，acellforacell。

You’vestolenmyhouse；I’llstealyours。And，withoutmuchhesitation，theyproceedtoforcethelidofacellthatsuitsthem。

Sometimestheyrecoverpossessionoftheirownhome，ifitispossibletogetintoit；sometimesandmorefrequentlytheyseizeuponsomeoneelse’s，evenataconsiderabledistancefromtheiroriginaldwelling。

Patientlytheygnawthemortarlid。Asthegeneralrough-castcoveringallthecellsisnotapplieduntiltheendofthework，allthattheyneeddoistodemolishthelid，ahardandwearisometask，butnotbeyondthestrengthoftheirmandibles。Theythereforeattackthedoor，thecementdisk，andreduceittodust。Thecriminalisallowedtocarryouthernefariousdesignswithouttheslightestinterferenceorprotestfromanyofherneighbours，thoughthesemustnecessarilyincludethechiefpartyinterested。TheBeeisasforgetfulofhercellofyesterdayassheisjealousofheractualcell。Toherthepresentiseverything；thepastmeansnothing；andthefuturemeansnomore。Andsothepopulationofthetileleavethebreakersofdoorstodotheirbusinessinpeace；nonehastenstothedefenceofahomethatmightwellbeherown。Howdifferentlythingswouldhappenifthecellwerestillonthestocks！Butitdatesbacktoyesterday，tothedaybefore；andnoonegivesitanotherthought。

It’sdone：thelidisdemolished；accessisfree。Forsometime，theBeestandsbendingoverthecell，herheadhalf-buriedinit，asthoughincontemplation。Shegoesaway，shereturnsundecidedly；atlastshemakesuphermind。Theeggissnappedupfromthesurfaceofthehoneyandflungontherubbish-heapwithnomoreceremonythaniftheBeewereriddingthehouseofabitofdirt。Ihavewitnessedthishideouscrimeagainandyetagain；Iconfesstohavingrepeatedlyprovokedit。Inhousingheregg，theMason-beedisplaysabrutalindifferencetothefateofherneighbour’segg。

Iseesomeofthemafterwardsbusyprovisioning，disgorginghoneyandbrushingpollenintothecellalreadycompletelyprovisioned；Iseesomemasoningalittleattheorifice，oratleastlayingonafewtrowelsofmortar。ItseemsasiftheBee，althoughthevictualsandthebuildingarejustastheyshouldbe，wereresumingtheworkatthepointatwhichsheleftittwenty-fourhoursbefore。Lastly，theeggislaidandtheopeningclosedup。Ofmycaptives，one，lesspatientthantherest，rejectstheslowprocessofeatingawaythecoveranddecidesinfavourofrobberywithviolence，ontheprinciplethatmightisright。Shedislodgestheownerofahalf-stockedcell，keepsgoodwatchforalongtimeonthethresholdofthehomeand，whenshefeelsherselfthemistressofthehouse，goesonwiththeprovisioning。Ifollowtheoustedproprietresswithmyeyes。Iseeherseizeuponaclosedcellbybreakingintoit，behavinginallrespectslikemyimprisonedChalicodomae。

Thewholeoccurrencewastoosignificanttobeleftwithoutfurtherconfirmation。Irepeatedtheexperiment，therefore，almosteveryyear，alwayswiththesamesuccess。Icanonlyaddthat，amongtheBeesplacedbymyartificesunderthenecessityofmakingupforlosttime，afewareofamoreeasy-goingtemperament。Iseesomebuildinganew，asifnothingoutofthewayhadhappened；others——thisisaveryrarecourse——goingtosettleonanothertile，asthoughtoavoidasocietyofthieves；andlastlyafewwhobringpelletsofmortarandzealouslyfinishthelidoftheirowncell，althoughitcontainsastrangeegg。

However，housebreakingistheusualthing。

Onemoredetailnotwithoutvalue：itisnotnecessaryforyoutointerveneandimprisonMason-beesforatimeinordertowitnesstheactsofviolencewhichIhavedescribed。Ifyoufollowtheworkoftheswarmassiduously，youmayoccasionallyfindasurpriseawaitingyou。

AMason-beewillappearand，fornoreasonknowntoyou，breakopenadoorandlayhereggintheviolatedcell。Fromwhatgoesbefore，I

lookupontheBeeasalaggard，keptawayfromtheworkyardbyanaccident，orelsecarriedtoadistancebyagustofwind。Onreturningafteranabsenceofsomeduration，shefindsherplacetaken，hercellusedbyanother。Thevictimofanusurper’svillainy，liketheprisonersinmypaperscrews，shebehavesastheydoandindemnifiesherselfforherlossbybreakingintoanother’shome。

Lastly，itwasamatteroflearningthebehaviour，aftertheiractofviolence，oftheMasonswhohavesmashedinadoor，brutallyexpelledtheeggwithinandreplaceditbyoneoftheirownlaying。Whenthelidisrepairedtolookasgoodasnewandeverythingrestoredtoorder，willtheycontinuetheirburglariouswaysandexterminatetheeggsofotherstomakeroomfortheirown？Bynomeans。Revenge，thatpleasureofthegodsandperhapsalsoofBees，issatisfiedafteronecellhasbeenrippedopen。Allangerisappeasedwhentheeggforwhichsomuchworkhasbeendoneissafelyhoused。Henceforth，bothprisonersandstraylaggardsresumetheirordinarylabours，indifferentlywiththerest。Theybuildhonestly，theyprovisionhonestly，normeditatefurtherevil。Thepastisquiteforgottenuntilafreshdisasteroccurs。

Toreturntotheparasites：amotherchancedtofindherselfthemistressofanother’snest。Shetookadvantageofthistoentrusthereggtoit。Thisexpeditiousmethod，soeasyforthemotherandsofavourabletothesuccessofheroffspring，madesuchanimpressiononherthatshetransmittedthematernalindolencetoherposterity。Thustheworkergraduallybecametransformedintoaparasite。

Capital！Thethinggoeslikeclockwork，aslongaswehaveonlytoputourideasonpaper。Butletusjustconsultthefacts，ifyoudon’tmind；beforearguingaboutprobabilities，letuslookintothingsastheyare。HereistheMason-beeoftheShedsteachingussomethingverycurious。Tosmashthelidofacellthatdoesnotbelongtoher，tothrowtheeggoutofdoorsandputherowninitsplaceisapracticewhichshehasfollowedsincetimebegan。Thereisnoneedofmyinterferencetomakehercommitburglary：shecommitsitofherownaccord，whenherrightsareprejudicedastheresultofatoo-longabsence。Eversinceherracehasbeenkneadingcement，shehasknownthelawofretaliation。Countlessages，suchastheevolutionistsrequire，havemadeheradoptforcibleusurpationasaninveteratehabit。Moreover，robberyissoincomparablyeasyforthemother。Nomorecementtoscratchupwithhermandiblesonthehardground，nomoremortartoknead，nomoreclaywallstobuild，nomorepollentogatheronhundredsandhundredsofjourneys。Allisready，boardandlodging。Neverwasabetteropportunityforallowingone’sselfagoodtime。Thereisnothingagainstit。Theothers，theworkers，areimperturbableintheirgood-humour。Theiroutragedcellsleavethemprofoundlyindifferent。Therearenobrawlstofear，noprotests。Noworneveristhemomenttotreadtheprimrosepath。

Besides，yourprogenywillbeallthebetterforit。Youcanchoosethewarmestandwholesomestspots；youcanmultiplyyourlaying-

operationsbydevotingtothemallthetimethatyouwouldhavetospendonirksomeoccupations。Iftheimpressionproducedbytheviolentseizureofanother’spropertyisstrongenoughtobehandeddownbyheredity，howdeepshouldbetheimpressionoftheactualmomentwhentheMason-beeisinthefirstflushofsuccess！Thepreciousadvantageisfreshinthememory，datingfromthatveryinstant；themotherhasbuttocontinueinordertocreateamethodofinstallationfavourableinthehighestdegreetoherandhers。Come，poorBee！Throwasideyourexhaustinglabours，followtheevolutionists’adviceand，asyouhavethemeansatyourdisposal，becomeaparasite！

Butno，havingeffectedherlittlerevenge，thebuilderreturnstohermasonry，thegleanertohergleaning，withunquenchablezeal。Sheforgetsthecrimecommittedinamomentofangerandtakesgoodcarenottohanddownanytendencytowardsidlenesstoheroffspring。Sheknowstoowellthatactivityislife，thatworkistheworld’sgreatjoy。Whatmyriadsofcellshasshenotbrokenopensinceshehasbeenbuilding；whatmagnificentopportunities，allsoclearandconclusive，hasshenothadtoemancipateherselffromdrudgery！Nothingcouldconvinceher：borntowork，shepersistsinanindustriouslife。Shemightatleasthaveproducedanoffshoot，araceofhousebreakers，whowouldinvadecellsbydemolishingdoors。TheStelisdoessomethingofthekind；butwhowouldthinkofproclaimingarelationshipbetweentheChalicodomaandher？Thetwohavenothingincommon。IcallforascionoftheMason-beeoftheShedswhoshalllivebytheartofbreakingthroughceilings。Untiltheyshowmeone，thetheoristswillonlymakemesmilewhentheytalktomeoferstwhileworkersrelinquishingtheirtradetobecomeparasiticsluggards。

Ialsocall，withnolessinsistence，foradescendantoftheThree-

hornedOsmia，adescendantgiventodemolishingparty-walls。IwilldescribelaterhowImanagedtomakeawholeswarmoftheseOsmiaebuildtheirnestsonthetableinmystudy，inglasstubesthatenabledmetoseetheinmostsecretsoftheworkoftheBee。（Cf。

"Bramble-beesandOthers"，byJ。HenriFabre，translatedbyAlexanderTeixeiradeMattos：chapters1to7。——Translator’sNote。）Forthreeorfourweeks，eachOsmiaisscrupulouslyfaithfultohertube，whichislaboriouslyfilledwithasetofchambersdividedbyearthenpartitions。Marksofdifferentcolourspaintedonthethoraxoftheworkersenablemetorecognizeindividualsinthecrowd。EachcrystalgalleryistheexclusivepropertyofoneOsmia；nootherentersit，buildsinitorhoardsinit。If，throughheedlessness，throughmomentaryforgetfulnessofherownhouseinthetumultofthecity，someneighboursomuchascomesandlooksinatthedoor，theownersoonputshertoflight。Nosuchindiscretionistolerated。EveryBeehasherhomeandeveryhomeitsBee。

Allgoeswelluntiljustbeforetheendofthework。Thetubesarethenclosedattheorificewithathickplugofearth；nearlythewholeswarmhasdisappeared；thereremainonthespotascoreoftatterdemalionsinthreadbarefleeces，wornoutbyamonth’shardtoil。Theselaggardshavenotfinishedtheirlaying。Thereisnolackofunoccupiedtubes，forItakecaretoremovesomeofthosewhicharefullandtoreplacethembyothersthathavenotyetbeenused。VeryfewoftheBeesdecidetotakepossessionofthesenewhomes，whichdifferinnoparticularfromtheearlierones；andeventhentheybuildonlyasmallnumberofcells，whichareoftenmereattemptsatpartitions。

Theywantsomethingdifferent：anestbelongingtosomeoneelse。Theyborethroughthestopperoftheinhabitedtubes，aworkofnogreatdifficulty，forwehaveherenotthehardcementoftheChalicodoma，butasimplelidofdriedmud。Whentheentranceiscleared，acellappears，withitsstoreofprovisionsanditsegg，withherbrutalmandibles；sheripsitopenandgoesandflingsitaway。Shedoesworse：sheeatsitonthespot。IhadtowitnessthishorrormanytimesoverbeforeIcouldacceptitasafact。Notethattheeggdevouredmayverywellcontainthecriminal’sownoffspring。

Imperiouslyswayedbytheneedsofherpresentfamily，theOsmiaputsherpastfamilyentirelyoutofhermind。

Havingperpetratedthischild-murder，thedepravedcreaturedoesalittleprovisioning。Theyallexperiencethesamenecessitytogobackwardsinthesequenceofactionsinordertopickupthethreadoftheirinterruptedoccupations。Hernextworkistolayhereggandthensheconscientiouslyrestoresthedemolishedlid。

Thehavoccanbemoresweepingstill。Oneoftheselaggardsisnotsatisfiedwithasinglecell；sheneedstwo，three，four。Toreachthemostremote，theOsmiawrecksallthosewhichcomebeforeit。Thepartitionsarebrokendown，theeggseatenorthrownaway，theprovisionssweptoutsideandoftenevencarriedtoadistanceingreatlumps。Coveredwithdustfromthelooseplasterofthedemolition，flouredalloverwiththerifledpollen，stickywiththecontentsofthemangledeggs，theOsmia，whileatherbrigand’swork，isalteredbeyondrecognition。Oncetheplaceiscleared，everythingresumesitsnormalcourse。Provisionsarelaboriouslybroughttotaketheplaceofthosewhichhavebeenthrownaway；eggsarelaid，oneoneachheapoffood；thepartitionsarebuiltupagain；andthemassiveplugsealingthewholestructureismadeasgoodasnew。

CrimesofthiskindrecursooftenthatIamobligedtointerfereandplaceinsafetythenestswhichIwishtokeepintact。Andnothingasyetexplainsthisbrigandage，burstingforthattheendoftheworklikeamoralepidemic，likeafrenzieddelirium。Ishouldsaynothingifthesitewerelacking；butthetubesarethere，closeby，emptyandquitefittoreceivetheeggs。TheOsmiarefusesthem，shepreferstoplunder。Isitfromweariness，fromadistasteforworkafteraperiodoffierceactivity？Notatall；for，whenarowofcellshasbeenstrippedofitscontents，aftertheravageandwaste，shehastocomebacktoordinarywork，withallitsburdens。Thelabourisnotreduced；itisincreased。ItwouldpaytheBeeinfinitelybetter，ifshewantstocontinueherlaying，tomakeherhomeinanunoccupiedtube。TheOsmiathinksdifferently。Herreasonsforactingasshedoesescapeme。Cantherebeill-conditionedcharactersamongher，charactersthatdelightinaneighbour’sruin？Thereareamongmen。

Intheprivacyofhernativehaunts，theOsmia，Ihavenodoubt，behavesasinmycrystalgalleries。Towardstheendofthebuilding-

operations，sheviolatesothers’dwellings。Bykeepingtothefirstcell，whichitisnotnecessarytoemptyinordertoreachthenext，shecanutilizetheprovisionsonthespotandshortentothatextentthelongestpartofherwork。Asusurpationsofthiskindhavehadampletimetobecomeinveterate，tobecomeinbredintherace，IaskforadescendantoftheOsmiawhoeatshergrandmother’segginordertoestablishherownegg。

ThisdescendantIshallnotbeshown；butImaybetoldthatsheisinprocessofformation。TheoutrageswhichIhavedescribedarepreparingafutureparasite。Thetransformistsdogmatizeaboutthepastanddogmatizeaboutthefuture，butasseldomaspossibletalktousaboutthepresent。Transformationshavetakenplace，transformationswilltakeplace；thepityofitisthattheyarenotactuallytakingplace。Ofthethreetenses，oneislacking，theveryonewhichdirectlyinterestsusandwhichaloneisclearoftheincubusoftheory。Thissilenceaboutthepresentdoesnotpleasemeovermuch，scarcelymorethanthefamouspictureof"TheCrossingoftheRedSea"paintedforavillagechapel。Theartisthadputuponthecanvasabroadribbonofbrightestscarlet；andthatwasall。

’Yes，that’stheRedSea，’saidthepriest，examiningthemasterpiecebeforepayingforit。’That’stheRedSea，rightenough；butwherearetheIsraelites？’

’Theyhavepassed，’repliedthepainter。

’AndtheEgyptians？’

’Theyareontheway。’

Transformationshavepassed，transformationsareontheway。Formercy’ssake，cannottheyshowustransformationsintheact？Mustthefactsofthepastandthefactsofthefuturenecessarilyexcludethefactsofthepresent？Ifailtounderstand。

IcallforadescendantoftheChalicodomaandadescendantoftheOsmiawhohaverobbedtheirneighbourswithgusto，whenoccasionoffered，sincetheoriginoftheirrespectiveraces，andwhoareworkingindustriouslytocreateaparasitehappyindoingnothing。

Havetheysucceeded？No。Willtheysucceed？Yes，peoplemaintain。Forthemoment，nothing。TheOsmiaeandChalicodomaeofto-dayarewhattheywerewhenthefirsttrowelofcementormudwasmixed。Thenhowmanyagesdoesittaketoformaparasite？Toomany，Ifear，forusnottobediscouraged。

Ifthesayingsofthetheoristsarewell-founded，goingonstrikeandlivingbyshiftswasnotalwaysenoughtoassureparasitism。Incertaincases，theanimalmusthavehadtochangeitsdiet，topassfromlivepreytovegetarianfare，whichwouldentirelysubvertitsmostessentialcharacteristics。WhatshouldwesaytotheWolfgivingupmuttonandbrowsingongrass，inobediencetothedictatesofidleness？Theboldestwouldshrinkfromsuchanabsurdassumption。Andyettransformismleadsusstraighttoit。

Hereisanexample：inJuly，Isplitsomebramble-stemsinwhichOsmiatridentatahasbuilthernests。Inthelongseriesofcells，theloweralreadyholdtheOsmia’scocoons，whiletheuppercontainthelarvawhichhasnearlyfinishedconsumingitsprovisionsandthetopmostshowthevictualsuntouched，withtheOsmia’segguponthem。Itisacylindricalegg，roundedatbothextremities，ofatransparentwhiteandmeasuringfourtofivemillimetresinlength。（。156to。195inch——

Translator’sNote。）Itliesslantwise，oneendofitrestingonthefoodandtheotherstickingupatsomedistanceabovethehoney。Now，bymultiplyingmyvisitstothefreshcells，Ihaveonseveraloccasionsmadeaveryvaluablediscovery。OnthefreeendoftheOsmia’segg，anothereggisfixed；aneggquitedifferentinshape，whiteandtransparentlikethefirst，butmuchsmallerandnarrower，bluntatoneendandtaperingintoarathersharppointattheother。

Itistwomillimetreslongbyhalfamillimetrewide。（。078and。019

inch。——Translator’sNote。）Itisundeniablytheeggofaparasite，aparasitewhichcompelsmyattentionbyitscuriousmethodofinstallingitsfamily。

ItopensbeforetheOsmia’segg。Thetinygrub，assoonasitisborn，beginstodraintherivalegg，ofwhichitoccupiedthetoppart，highupabovethehoney。Theexterminationsoonbecomesperceptible。YoucanseetheOsmia’seggturningmuddy，losingitsbrilliancy，becominglimpandwrinkled。Intwenty-fourhours，itisnothingbutanemptysheath，acrumpledbitofskin。Allcompetitionisnowremoved；theparasiteisthemasterofthehouse。Theyounggrub，whendemolishingtheegg，wasactiveenough：itexploredthedangerousthingwhichhadtobegotridofquickly，itraiseditsheadtoselectandmultiplytheattacking-points。Now，lyingatfulllengthonthesurfaceofthehoney，itnolongershiftsitsposition；buttheundulationsofthedigestivecanalbetrayitsgreedyabsorptionoftheOsmia’sstoreoffood。Theprovisionsarefinishedinafortnightandthecocooniswoven。Itisafairlyfirmovoid，ofaverydark-browncolour，twocharacteristicswhichatoncedistinguishitfromtheOsmia’spale，cylindricalcocoon。ThehatchingtakesplaceinAprilorMay。Thepuzzleissolvedatlast：theOsmia’sparasiteisaWaspcalledtheSpottedSapyga（Sapygapunctata，V。L。）

NowwherearewetoclassthisWasp，atrueparasiteinthestrictsenseoftheword，thatistosay，aconsumerofothers’provisions。

HergeneralappearanceandherstructuremakeitcleartoanyeyemoreorlessfamiliarwithentomologicalshapesthatshebelongstoaspeciesakintothatoftheScoliae。Moreover，themastersofclassification，soscrupulousintheircomparisonofcharacteristics，agreeinplacingtheSapygaeimmediatelyaftertheScoliaeandalittlebeforetheMutillae。TheScoliaefeedtheirgrubsonprey；sodotheMutillae。TheOsmia’sparasite，therefore，ifitreallyderivesfromatransformedancestor，isdescendedfromaflesh-eater，thoughitisnowaneaterofhoney。TheWolfdoesmorethanbecomeaSheep：

heturnshimselfintoasweet-tooth。

’Youwillnevergetanapple-treeoutofanacorn，’Franklintellsus，withthathomelycommon-senseofhis。

Inthiscase，thepassionforjammusthavesprungfromaloveofvenison。Anytheorymightwellbedeficientinbalancewhenitleadstosuchvagariesasthis。

IshouldhavetowriteavolumeifIwouldgoonsettingforthmydoubts。Ihavesaidenoughforthemoment。Man，theinsatiableenquirer，handsdownfromagetoagehisquestionsaboutthewhysandwhereforesoforigins。Answerfollowsanswer，isproclaimedtrueto-dayandrecognizedasfalsetomorrow；andthegoddessIsiscontinuesveiled。

CHAPTER10。THETRIBULATIONSOFTHEMASON-BEE。

Toillustratethemethodsofthosewhobattenonothers’goods，theplundererswhoknownoresttilltheyhavewroughtthedestructionoftheworker，itwouldbedifficulttofindabetterinstancethanthetribulationssufferedbytheChalicodomaoftheWalls。TheMasonwhobuildsonthepebblesmayfairlyboastofbeinganindustriousworkwoman。ThroughoutthemonthofMay，weseeherblacksquads，inthefullheatofthesun，diggingwithbusyteethinthemortar-quarryoftheroadhardby。Sogreatisherzealthatshehardlymovesoutofthewayofthepasser-by；morethanoneallowsherselftobecrushedunderfoot，absorbedassheisincollectinghercement。

Thehardestanddriestspots，whichstillretainthecompactnessimpartedbythesteam-roller，arethefavouriteveins；andtheworkofmakingthepelletisslowandpainful。Itisscrapedupatombyatom；

and，bymeansofsaliva，turnedintomortarthenandthere。Whenitisallwellkneadedandthereisenoughtomakeaload，theMasonsetsoffwithanimpetuousflight，inastraightline，andmakesforherpebble，afewhundredpacesaway。Thetroweloffreshmortarissoonspent，eitherinaddinganotherstoreytotheturret-shapededifice，orincementingintothewalllumpsofgravelthatgiveitgreatersolidity。Thejourneysinsearchofcementarereneweduntilthestructureattainstheregulationheight。Withoutamoment’srest，theBeereturnsahundredtimestothestone-yard，alwaystotheonespotrecognizedasexcellent。

Thevictualsarenowcollected：honeyandflower-dust。Ifthereisapinkcarpetofsainfoinanywhereintheneighbourhood，’tistherethattheMasongoesplunderingbypreference，thoughitcostherafourhundredyards’journeyeverytime。Hercropswellswithhoneyedexudations，herbellyisflouredwithpollen。Backtothecell，whichslowlyfills；andbackstraightwaytotheharvest-field。Andalldaylong，withnotasignofweariness，thesameactivityismaintainedaslongasthesunishighenough。Whenitislate，ifthehouseisnotyetclosed，theBeeretirestohercelltospendthenightthere，headdownwards，tipofherabdomenoutside，ahabitforeigntotheChalicodomaoftheSheds。ThenandthenalonetheMasonrests；butitisarestthatisinasenseequivalenttowork，for，thusplaced，sheblockstheentrancetothehoney-storeanddefendshertreasureagainsttwilightornightmarauders。

BeinganxioustoformsomeestimateofthetotaldistancecoveredbytheBeeintheconstructionandprovisioningofasinglecell，I

countedthenumberofstepsfromanesttotheroadwherethemortarwasmixedandfromthesamenesttothesainfoin-fieldwheretheharvestwasgathered。Itooksuchnoteasmypatiencepermittedofthejourneysmadeinbothdirections；and，completingthesedatawithacomparisonbetweentheworkdoneandthatwhichremainedtodo，I

arrivedatnineandahalfmilesastheresultofthetotaltravelling。Ofcourse，Igivethisfigureonlyasaroughcalculation；

greaterprecisionwouldhavedemandedmoreperseverancethanIcanboast。

Suchasitis，theresult，whichisprobablyundertheactualfigureinmanycases，isofakindthatgivesusavividideaoftheMason-

bee’sactivity。Thecompletenestwillcompriseaboutfifteencells。

Moreover，theheapofcellswillbecoatedattheendwithalayerofcementagoodfinger’s-breadththick。Thismassivefortification，whichislessfinishedthantherestoftheworkbutmoreexpensiveinmaterials，representsperhapsinitselfonehalfofthecompletetask，sothat，toestablishherdome，Chalicodomamuraria，comingandgoingacrossthearidtable-land，traversesaltogetheradistanceof275

miles，whichisnearlyhalfofthegreatestdimensionofFrancefromnorthtosouth。Afterwards，when，wornoutwithallthisfatigue，theBeeretirestoahiding-placetolanguishinsolitudeanddie，sheissurelyentitledtosay：

’Ihavelaboured，Ihavedonemyduty！’

Yes，certainly，theMasonhastoiledwithavengeance。Toensurethefutureofheroffspring，shehasspentherownlifewithoutreserve，herlonglifeoffiveorsixweeks’duration；andnowshebreathesherlast，contentedbecauseeverythingisinorderinthebelovedhouse：

copiousrationsofthefirstquality；ashelteragainstthewinterfrosts；rampartsagainstincursionsoftheenemy。Everythingisinorder，atleastsoshethinks；but，alas，whatamistakethepoormotherismaking！Herethehatefulfatalitystandsrevealed，asperafata，whichruinstheproducertoprovidealivingforthedrone；hereweseethestupidandferociouslawthatsacrificestheworkerfortheidler’sbenefit。Whathavewedone，weandtheinsects，tobegroundwithsovranindifferenceunderthemill-stoneofsuchwretchedness？

Oh，whatterrible，whatheart-rendingquestionstheMason-bee’smisfortuneswouldbringtomylips，ifIgavefreescopetomysombrethoughts！Butletusavoidtheseuselesswhysandkeepwithintheprovinceofthemererecorder。

TherearesometenofthemplottingtheruinofthepeaceableandindustriousBee；andIdonotknowthemall。Eachhasherowntricks，herownartofinjury，herownexterminatingtactics，sothatnopartoftheMason’sworkmayescapedestruction。Someseizeuponthevictuals，othersfeedonthelarvae，othersagainconvertthedwellingtotheirownuse。Everythinghastosubmit：cell，provisions，scarce-

weanednurselings。

ThestealersoffoodaretheStelis-wasp（Stelisnasuta）andtheDioxys-bee（Dioxyscincta）。Ihavealreadysaidhow，intheMason’sabsence，theStelisperforatesthedomeofcellaftercell，layshereggsthereandafterwardsrepairsthebreachwithamortarmadeofredearth，whichatoncebetraystheparasite’spresencetoawatchfuleye。TheStelis，whoismuchsmallerthantheChalicodoma，findsenoughfoodinasinglecellfortherearingofseveralofhergrubs。

Themotherlaysanumberofeggs，whichIhaveseenvarybetweentheextremesoftwoandtwelve，onthesurface，nexttotheMason’segg，whichitselfundergoesnooutragewhatever。

Thingsdonotgosobadlyatfirst。Thefeastersswim——itistheonlyword——inthemidstofplenty；theyeatanddigestlikebrothers。

Presently，timesbecomehardforthehostess’son；thefooddecreases，dearthsetsin；andatlengthnotanatomremains，althoughtheMason’slarvahasattainedatmostaquarterofitsgrowth。Theothers，moreexpeditiousfeeders，haveexhaustedthevictualslongbeforethevictimhasfinishedhisnormalrepast。Theswindledgrubshrivelsupanddies，whilethegorgedlarvaeoftheStelisbegintospintheirstronglittlebrowncocoons，pressedclosetogetherandlumpedintoonemass，soastomakethebestuseofthescantyspaceinthecrowdeddwelling。Shouldyouinspectthecelllater，youwillfind，betweentheheapedcocoonsonthewall，alittledried-upcorpse。ItisthelarvathatwassuchanobjectofcaretothemotherMason。Theeffortsofthemostlaboriousofliveshaveendedinthislamentablerelic。Ithashappenedtomejustasoften，whenexaminingthesecretsofthecellwhichisatoncecradleandtomb，nottocomeuponthedeceasedgrubatall。IpicturetheStelis，beforelayingherowneggs，destroyingtheChalicodoma’seggandeatingit，astheOsmiaedoamongthemselves；orIpicturethedyingthing，anirksomemassforthenumerousspinnersatworkinanarrowhabitation，beingcuttopiecestomakeroomforthemedleyofcocoons。ButtosomanydeedsofdarknessIwouldnotliketoaddanotherbyanoversight；andIprefertoadmitthatIfailedtoperceivethegrubthatdiedofhunger。