misfortunes; but it soon became apparent that this was not the case, as the Wasp quickly stripped the legs and wings off his prey, shook himself free of the web, and carried off the carcase in his mouth. The owner of the web was an interested spectator, but did not take any part in the contest.—R.H. Ramsbotham (Meale Brace Hall, Shrewsbury).
[This communication prompts an interesting question as to the combative power of Spider versus Wasp. The recorded verdict is somewhat ambiguous, as the few—probably not nearly exhaustive—notes here appended clearly show. For the Spider: The Rev. W.F. Kirby, quoting from Walck ('Araneid de France,' p. 202), relates that one species, Segestria perfida, "has been seen even to seize a very active Wasp." The late Prof. Westwood ('Mod. Class. Ins.' vol. ii. p. 247) states that he once observed "a Spider, belonging to the genus Thomisus, sucking a Wasp which it had killed. For the Wasp: In 'The Zoologist' (1859, p. 6732) is to be found the account of an experiment made by putting a Wasp into a Spider's web. In this case the Spider, who made a rush at the Wasp, was stung in its abdomen, and fell from its web dead upon the ground. In 'Nature,' vol. xvii. p. 381, is an account from the Piraeus, describing the chasing and killing of a large hunting Spider by a species of Wasp, probably a Pompilus. There is a record in 'The Zoologist' for 1887, p. 310, of an observation made in Ceylon of a Mason Wasp—a large common species—seen dragging a large Tarantula, which it had paralysed, across a path. Belt ('Naturalist in Nicaragua,' p. 313) refers to Wasps storing their nests with Spiders, after benumbing them with their stings.
It will thus be seen that in this, as in most other branches of zoology, actual observations on the life-histories of animals are still greatly desiderated. It is probable that a conflict between Wasp and Spider depends in issue very largely on the species, and more particularly the genus, to which each belongs. Both Wasps and Spiders, as well as other animals, vary greatly in their habits and pugnacity; and hence—when possible—the observing naturalist should fortify himself with the additional knowledge imparted by the taxonomist, and thus add to the details of the occurrence the correct names of those which took part in it.—Ed.]
