SOCIAL-WASPS. 



71 



The most remarkable circumstance in the architecture 

 of this species of vespiary is, that it is not horizontal, like 

 those formerly described, but nearly vertical. The rea- 

 son appears to be, that if it had been horizontal, the cells 

 must have been frequently filled with rain ; whereas, in 

 the position in which it is placed, tlie rain runs off with- 

 out lodging. It is, besides, invariably placed so as to 

 face the north or the east, and consequently is less exposed 

 to rains, which most frequently come with southerly or 

 westerly winds. It is another remarkable peculiarity, that, 

 unlike the nests of other wasps, it is covered with a shining 

 coat of varnish, to prevent moisture from soaking into the 

 texture of the wasp's paper. The laying on this varnish. 



Wasps' Cells attached to a Branch. 



indeed, forms a considerable portion of the labour of the 

 colony, and individuals may be seen employed for hours 

 together spreading it on with their tongues. 



Few circumstances are more striking, with regard to 

 insects, as Kirby and Spence justly remark, than the 

 great and incessant labour which maternal affection for 

 their progeny leads them to undergo. Some of these 



