CH. VI.] THE COMMON WASP. 105 



them at home surround it, and take their share 

 without dispute or combat. Those which feed on 

 fruit seem to return empty-handed, as they do not 

 carry off solid substances. However, Reaumur ob- 

 served that even these had not forgotten the neces- 

 sities of their comrades. Having entered the nest, 

 they disgorged a clear drop, which was sucked with 

 avidity by one or two hungry workers ; when this 

 was consumed, a second, and even a third supply 

 was furnished. They seem to vary the quality of 

 the food according to the age of the larvae. Reau- 

 mur mentions a young Comte de Chatelu, who en- 

 deavoured to bring up some young wasps by hand, 

 feeding them with honey; but a great mortality 

 took place among them, from the want of knowledge 

 as to the quantity and quality of the food fit for 

 them. As soon as the young become large, they 

 prepare for their metamorphosis, and they them- 

 selves like the larva of the hive bee, cloVhe the cell 

 with a silky covering. About three weeks elapse 

 between the laying of the egg and the evolution of 

 the perfect insect. As soon as the cell is vacated, 

 the males, who are the scavengers of the commu- 

 nity, cleanse and prepare the habitation for a new 

 tenant. 



All this mass of building, the columns, and the 

 walls, though the labour of several months, lasts 

 but one year : thronged as it is in summer, its thou- 

 sands quickly perish; a few only linger there in a 

 torpid state during the winter. Those which sur- 

 vive the cold are females, destined to continue the 

 species. These are born in the autumn, at the same 

 time as the males, and, becoming impregnated, lay 

 in spring. Each founds a new republic. Alone, 

 unattended by a single guard or friend, the female 

 wasp builds a few solitary cells, and lays in them 

 the eggs of neuters. These are necessary to carry 

 on the labour of the nest, and commence their toils 

 within a few hours after their last metamorphosis 



