Year: 1875

\ STRATEGIC WASP.-NOt long since,
while reading beneath the shade of fig
tree. our attention was attracted by a
peculiar loud and shrill buzzing sound, as
of some of the bee family in distress.
Looking in the direction of the noise, we
observed quite close to us a dirt-dauber. or
builder one of the species of wasp so we'll
known for the cylindrical case of mud it
builds under caves and on sheltered walls,
which it stuils full of certain worms and
spiders for its Young. This wasp had half
of its body and head down the hole of the
equally well-known doodlebue. worm
which children pull out of their holes by
teasing them with straw until they grasp
it with their strong nippers and hold on
until they are thrown out. 1t was evident
at glance that the wasp had gone down
the hoe of the doodlebug. and that the
doodlebug soon had him in his strong
grip ut great disadvantage and where the
wings of the wasp We're Of no advantage
to him except to make 4 noise which
might alarm his adversary. The contest
| lasted full two minutes. when finally the
dirt -dauber came out with 4 jerk. He
| flew but a few inches from the hole, lit
upon the ground, rubbed his head, and
| fairly danced with pain.


In Il few moments he recovered from the
effects Of his wounds, and began making
short circles over the hole, evidently re-
connoitering and laying his plans. Pres
entity. lighting at the mouth of the hole,


he tried the earth all about the entrance
with the skill of an engineer. and selecting
that which was driest he began to scratch
like a doc with his fore feet. throwing


the dust rapidly backward into the hole.
We watched with intense interest, and


could not bat admire his pluck and de
termination, for we imagine this throwing
Of dust on his advcrSarys head was only
to provoke him to u fresh fight Every


now and then he would stop and take a


cautious peep down the hole to observe
the effect of his operations. We expected


every moment to see him descend anC


make another attack, but it soon become


manifest that such was not his intention ,anG
it gradually dawned upon Us that he hat
IL Strategic mode of attack based upon the


soundcst principles of philosophy, reason


and a thorough knowledge of his adverse


w, and of the means he was using to rem


der his resistance futile and make him al


easy captive.


Bv throwing fine dust into the hole tho


doodlebur would soon be smothered, as i


was necessary that he should have free


air, unless he climbed upward, rs he woul'


do. Wherever the worm worked upwarC


to get his head above. the fine dust fell be
hini and below him, and thus slowl,
, closed up his hole, until. blinded will


dust, he pokcd his head out at the top
This was the point aimed at, and th
moment he showed his head above, tn
wasp pounccd upon him, seized him b,
the neck, drew him up, gathered him il
f his arms and flew off in triumph, thougl


the worm was much the larger of the two


Struck with amazcmcnt at the sagaclty
science. skill and engineering ability q


the dirt-,l;lubcr, we carefully sounded tn
! hole, and found that i'll the course of tiv
minutes this reasoning insect had filled i


five inches of dust and put his tormidabl
adversary completely at his mercy.


J The most shIllful engineers, 1odleb, n G
e Heauregard. could not have thrown u


carthw orks with profounder calculatio
. than this natural engineer.-New 0rIeM'


paper.