216 A WASP IN MAIICH. 



tion which now prevails,, slowly but surely they will disappear, 

 even as the icy fetters which arrested, but a month ago, the 

 gliding surface of this streamlet. See ! how gaily does it now 

 sparkle in the sun, putting on (to be in fashion) a wreath 

 of gladness, and reflecting, in lieu of leafless branches, the 

 glories of the palm-willow, already rich in the gold and silver 

 of her flowery catkins. This willow's wealth would seem, how- 

 ever, like other riches, to have had its attractions for the 

 spoiler, for here is a host of Insect plunderers finally awakened 

 from their winter torpor, and brought from far by the honied 

 perfume which fills the air. Yet truly, these are no plunderers; 

 they arc the labourers of the hive. \\ C ask your pardon, little 

 types and patterns of industry, and are right glad to see you 

 on the wing. Load your thigh-panniers as you please with 

 golden treasure, you are no pilferers, for you take without 

 despoiling, and you rob for us. 



But stay, what have we here ? an idler among labourers ! a 

 highwayman among travellers ! a Wasp among Bees ! A 

 Wasp in March ! Yes, truly, and a Wasp of Wasps ; a very 

 Robin Hood of plunderers, in comparison with whom the last 

 of his pilfering fraternity, seen in autumn on the last peach, 

 was but a Little John indeed. Let us watch his proceedings. 

 Is he going, a la coutume, to attack the Bees, or, contrary 

 to custom, the flowers only ? Neither ; for scornfully passing 

 over both, he has alighted on this old post beside the willow, 

 and there he stays; by turns walking, and standing, and 



