The mother must know the sex of the egg which she is going to lay; she must be able to choose the sex of that egg so that each larva may obtain its proper portion of food.
Generally speaking, when the sexes are of different sizes, every insect that collects food and prepares or selects a dwelling for its offspring must be able to choose the sex of the egg in order to satisfy without mistake the conditions imposed upon it.
The question remains how this optional assessment of the sexes is effected.

I know absolutely nothing about it.

If I should ever learn anything about this delicate point, I shall owe it to some happy chance for which I must wait, or rather watch, patiently.
Then what explanation shall I give of the wonderful facts which I have set forth?
Why, none, absolutely none.

I do not explain facts, I relate them.

Growing daily more sceptical of the interpretations suggested to me and more hesitating as to those which I myself may have to suggest, the more I observe and experiment, the more clearly I see rising out of the black mists of possibility an enormous note of interrogation.
Dear insects, my study of you has sustained me and continues to sustain me in my heaviest trials; I must take leave of you for to-day.