The Common Wasp 



membered; the head, wings, legs and belly, 

 those meagre portions, are cut off with snips 

 of the shears. There remains the breast, 

 which is rich in muscular tissues. This is the 

 booty which, minced small upon the spot and 

 reduced to a pill, is carried to the nest as a 

 feast for the larvae. 



To honey, therefore, let us add game. I 

 slip a few Ei;istales under the wire dome. 

 At first the newcomers are not molested. 

 The turbulent Flies, fluttering, buzzing, but- 

 ting their heads against the wire-gauze, 

 create no sensation in the cage. The in- 

 mates take no notice of them. If one of 

 them pass too near to a Wasp, the Wasp 

 just raises her head, as though in threat. 

 That is quite enough; the Fly decamps. 



Matters become more serious around the 

 strip of paper covered with honey. The re- 

 fectory is assiduously frequented by the 

 Wasps. If the Eristalis, watching jealously 

 from afar, venture to approach, one of the 

 banqueters separates from the group, rushes 

 headlong at the daring one, catches her by 

 the leg and sends her to the right-about. 

 The encounter is not really grave except when 

 the Fly commits the imprudence of alighting 

 on a comb. Then the Wasps fling them- 

 selves upon the hapless intruder, roll her over 



