THE WASP TRIBE — THE HORNET 517 



shaped, with about fourteen joints or articulations. The eyes are oyal, 

 and the wings plain. The sting is pungent, and concealed in the 

 abdomen. 



The Sand-wasps were separated, by the Eev. Mr. Kirby, from the 

 last tribe, though, in their manners and economy, the insects of each 

 have a near resemblance. In their external appearance, however; 

 there are characteristics sufficient to admit, with great propriety, of 

 two genera. 



OF TEE WASP TRIBE. 



The mouth is horny, and furnished with a compressive jaw, and 

 four unequal, thread-shaped feelers. 

 The antennas are filiform, the first 

 joint longer than the rest, and 

 cylindrical. The sting is pungent, 

 and concealed within the abdqpien. 



The Wasps, like Bees, are in 

 general found in large societies; 

 and they construct curious combs 

 or nests, in which they deposit 

 their eggs. Some, however, are 

 solitary, and form for each young- 

 one a separate nest, Theh* larvcR 

 are soft, without feet, and are fed ._„.„„ „„.«„ 



' n n ^ ^^^ WASP AKD HOBNEt. 



With the nectar of flowers or honey, 



but of a kind very inferior to that collected by the Bees. The 



chrysaUs is without motion, and has the rudiments of wings. 



A distinguishing character of this tribe is their having smooth 

 bodies, apparently without hairs, and their upper wings, when at rest, 

 folded through their whole length. At the base of each of these there 

 is a scaly process, that performs the oflBce of a spring, in preventing 

 the wings from rising too high ; a caution of some importance to these 

 carnivorous insects, which pursue their prey at full stretch of wing. 



THE HORNET. 



ft is chiefly in the hollow trunks of decayed trees that the Hometi 

 form their nest. They live collected together in communities, which 

 consist of males, females, and neuters or laborers. Their nest is of a 

 dirty yellowish color, and usually constructed under the shelter of 

 Bome outhouse, in the hole of an old wall, or more frequently in the 

 hollow trunk of some decayed tree. The hole of entrance to this neat 

 is often not more than an inch in diameter. 



In the spring of the year, those of the females which have survived 

 the winter, are reanimated by the warmth of the season, issue from 

 their hiding-places, and search out a convenient place in which they 

 eaa establish their nest. When this is found, they commence their 



