PRODUCTIVENESS OF WASPS. 229 



they are by Bees, for Wasps make no honey, and the cells 

 are wholly appropriated to rearing the young. When the 

 foundress Wasp has completed a certain number of cells, and 

 deposited eggs in them, she soon intermits her building ope- 

 rations in order to procure food for the young grubs, which 

 now require all her care. In a few weeks these become perfect 

 Wasps, and lend their assistance in the extension of the edifice, 

 enlarging the original coping of the foundress by side walls, 

 and forming another platform of cells, suspended to the first 

 by columns, as that had been suspended to the ceiling. Thus, 

 gradually, by the end of summer, this city of hanging terraces 

 is completed : the descendants of the original foundress, many 

 of whom are females, assisting also to provide its population, 

 which, according to the calculation of Reaumur, may amount 

 in one year to 30,000. 



Kirby has designated the Bee-hive " a waxen palace/' the 

 Wasp nest " a paper cottage " but with all due deference to 

 that distinguished naturalist, we can scarcely admit the wide 

 difference implied in such terms of comparison. But let us 

 liken it to whatsoever we may palace, cottage, or city the 

 desolation which falls, sooner or later, on every palace of pride, 

 every cottage of peace, every city of business, rushes at a pace 

 of more than ordinary swiftness on the habitation of the Wasp. 

 Scarcely has it arrived at completion, through the labours of 

 the youngest generation of its inhabitants, when the early 

 frosts of autumn slightly thin their numbers ; their active 



