In vain would the Philanthus gnaw at the throat and squeeze the flanks; the honey would not return to the mouth as long as a trace of life kept the stomach closed.
Matters are different with a corpse.

The springs relax; the muscles yield; the resistance of the stomach ceases, and the vessels containing the honey are emptied by the pressure of the thief.

We see, therefore, that the Philanthus is obliged to inflict a sudden death which instantly destroys the contractile power of the organs.

Where shall the deadly blow be delivered?
The slayer knows better than we, when she pierces the victim beneath the chin.

Through the narrow breach in the throat the cerebral ganglions are reached and immediate death ensues.
The examination of these acts of brigandage is not sufficient in view of my incorrigible habit of following every reply by another query, until the granite wall of the unknowable rises before me.