INJURIOUS INSECTS. 141 



What I have stated above will be sufficient to show how destructive must 

 be the common Wasp to cultivated fruits. They also love to lodge them- 

 selves in the neighbourhood of Bees. We have known a queen Wasp force 

 its way into a strong bee-hive, and not only commence building, but carry 

 on its labour; the lawful owners diminishing in number as the Wasps in- 

 creased; till at last the hive was destroyed, and the Wasps became the 

 tenants for a time ; when a dose of sulphur put an end to their right of 

 possession — in fact, to their lives ! 



Peace does not always reign in the societies of Wasps Combats often 

 take place among the workers, or between them and the males ; the last 

 individuals are more cowardly or weaker than the others. These combats 

 are seldom fatal: yet, however, we have watched them at battle, and the 

 result has been the death of the weaker one, the victor carrying off the head 

 of his enemy in triumph ! We have even seen them set to work to carve up, 

 and eat piecemeal, their fallen foe, with the dispatch of a cannibal. . 



5, Middle-street, Taunton. 



A MEMENTO FEOM THE YARE. 



BY G. R. TWINN, ESQ- 



(Contimied from page 277, vol. iv.^ 



The noon of the 22nd of June, 1854, found me enjoying the hospitality of 

 as kind a family as ever God planted on his lovely earth. Not only were the 

 good people devoted to the natural stock of their farm-yard, but they had a 

 love and sympathy for all living things. 



" He prayeth best, who loveth beat » 



All things, both great and small." 



A more observant out-door naturalist than Mr. P., I at present am not 

 acquainted with. Both he and his dear partner are never happier, than when 

 making others happy. Canaries, a globe of Gold and Silver Fish, Spanish 

 Fowls, Golden Pheasants, pet Lambs, and a host of other living creatures 

 were there to amuse. Preserved birds, (among them a very large Heron,) 

 and a fine Otter, (obtained from the Yare, that meanders through their 

 meadows,) were among the dead creatures, to aflford delight and instruction. 

 Very many remarks and jottings were offered me by the good people, who 

 had a fund of information in -connection with each object. 



In the afternoon, we rowed down the Yare, amid the richest foliage 

 and most lovely scenery ; gathering the Water Lily {Nymplicea alba) in all its 

 beauty, the Water Rush, and Arrow-head. {Scirpus, et Sa^gitta sagittifolia.) 



