8oo Home Nature-Study Course.' 



Lesson XXXIV. 



THE HOUSE OF A WASP FAMILY. 



Purpose. — To study the dwelling of the wasps and see how it is fitted 

 for their needs. 



Material. — One of the wasp's nests found in trees or other protected 

 places. With sharp scissors remove one side of the covering of the nest, 

 leaving the combs exposed and ask for the following observations. 



Observations for the pupils: 



(i). Which kind of wasp do you think made this nest? 



(2). Of what is the nest made and where did the wasps get the 

 material ? 



(3). How do the wasps make the wood into paper?- 



(4). Is the covering of the nest all the same color? 



(5). Do these differences in color give you an idea of how the wasps 

 build the paper of the nest? 



(6). Does the paper of wasp's nests tear more easily one way than 

 another ? 



(7). Is the covering of the nest solid or in layers? 



(8). Is the covering a protection from water? Pour water on one 

 side of the nest and see if it is waterproof. 



(9). Where is the door of the nest where the wasps went in and out? 



(10). Do you believe that some wasps were posted as sentinels at this 

 door to give warning if intruders came? 



(11). How many combs or stories are there in the wasp's house? 



(12). How are they fastened together and how are they suspended 

 from the branch or rafter? 



(13). Do the cells open upward or downward? 



(14); Compare the combs of the wasp's nest with those of the honey 

 bee. How do they resemble each other and how do they differ? 



(15). For what are these combs in the wasp's nest used? 



(16). How do the wasp babies manage to stay in the cells head down- 

 wards ? 



(17). Are all the cells the same size? Do you know the reason for 

 this difference in size? 



(18). Are the cells lined with a different color, and does this lining 

 extend out over the opening in some cases? 



(19). Is the lining of the cells made of paper also? 



