370 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



liquid which they disgorge. The cells in the combs are hexagonal, 

 and very regular, like those of bees."* 



Wasps collect the materials with which they build near the place 



Fig. 347. — The Hornet {VesJ>a crabrd). 



. . . .1 



where they have chosen to establish their domicile. These materials 

 are Hgneous fibre, mixed up with saliva, with the aid of which thes«j 

 insects prepare the paper-like substance, which is very tough, and 

 destined to form the walls of the cells and their exterior covering T 

 The greater number make their habitation ii 

 the ground. Of these is our Common Was; 

 iyVespa vulgaris), which is black, agreeabl 

 contrasted with bright yellow. The Bus' 

 Wasp ( Vespa norvegica), which inhabits wood; 

 constructs its nest between the branches c 

 shrubs or bushes. It is smaller than th 

 common species. The Hornet is the large; 

 European species of the family of the Vespidt 

 The substance of its nest is yellowish, an 

 veiy fragile, and is constructed under a roo 

 in a loft, or in the hole of an old wall, bi 

 most often in the hollow of a decayed tree. Another species of th . 

 family {Folistes gailica, Fig. 348) fixes its little nest by a foot- stalk 1 

 the stem of some plant. 



Wasps begin laying in spring, and go on laying all the summe 

 Each cell receives one single egg, and, as with bees, the workers' eg; 

 are the first laid. Eight days after the laying, there comes out 

 each egg a larva without feet, and already provided with two ma 

 dibles. These larvs receive their food in the form of balls, whi( 



Fig. 348.— Polistes gailica. 



4to. 



" Memoires pour servir a I'Histoire des Insectes," tome ii., p. 

 Stockholm, 1771. 



765. 



