If we consider only the relative strength of the adversaries,
the power of their weapons, the virulence of their poisons and
their different modes of action, the scale would very often be
weighted in favour of the Spider. Since the Pompilus always
emerges victorious from this contest, which appears to be full
of peril for her, she must have a special method, of which I
would fain learn the secret. In our part of the country, the
most powerful and courageous Spider- huntress is the Ringed
Pompilus (Calicurgus annulatus, FAB.), clad in black and yellow.
She stands high on her legs; and her wings have black tips, the
rest being yellow, as though exposed to smoke, like a bloater.
Her size is about that of the Hornet (Vespa crabro). She is
rare. I see three or four of her in the course of the year; and
I never fail to halt in the presence of the proud insect,
rapidly striding through the dust of the fields when the dog-
days arrive. Its audacious air, its uncouth gait, its war-like
bearing long made me suspect that