The Common Wasp 



quilts; to give the containing walls of the nest 

 the shape that encloses the greatest capacity 

 within the smallest wrapper; to adopt as a 

 cell the hexagonal prism, which economizes 

 space and material; these are scientific actions 

 that accord with the data of our physics and 

 geometry. We are told that the Wasp, pro- 

 ceeding from improvement to improvement, 

 worked out her sensible building for herself. 

 I cannot believe this when I see the whole 

 nest perish, a victim to my tricks, which 

 would easily have been baffled if the insect 

 possessed the least power of reflection. 



These wonderful architects amaze us by 

 their stupidity in the presence of a trifling dif- 

 ficulty. Outside their work of the moment 

 there is a complete absence of all lucidity 

 such as the progressive invention of the nest 

 would demand. Of the various tests that 

 assure me of this, I will mention the follow- 

 ing, which is easily made. 



The Common Wasp has chanced to set 

 up her dwelling in the enclosure. The estab- 

 lishment is beside one of the walks. No 

 member of the household dares venture in 

 that part; it would be dangerous to go near 

 it. We must rid ourselves of these bad 

 neighbours, who terrify the children. It 

 will also be a good thing to profit by this ex- 

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