VESPA. WASP. 
Generic Character. 
Os maxillis, absque pro- 
boscide. 
Alee superiores plicatae. 
Aculeus punctorius recon- 
ditus. 
Ociili lunares. 
' Corpus glabrum. 
Mouth with jaws, without 
proboscis. 
Upper Wings pleated. 
Sting concealed. 
Eyes lunated. 
Body smooth. 
X^HE genus Vespa, is of great extent, and is 
remarkable, like that of Apis or Bee for the sin- 
gular dexterity with which it constructs its habit- 
ation, which in many species is of considerable 
size. The common JUasp or Vespa vulgaris* is 
known to every one. The nest of this species is 
a highly curious structure, and is prepared be- 
neath the surface of some dry bank or other con- 
venient situation: its shape is that of an upright 
oval, often measuring ten or twelve inches at 
least in diameter: it consists of several horizontal 
stages or stories of hexagonal cells, the interstices 
of each^story being connected at intervals by up- 
* Perhaps not the Vespa vulgaris of Linnaeus, which he repre- 
sents as building its nest under projecting roofs, &:c. whereas the 
common English wasp builds its nest under ground. 
