150 



HYMENOPTEEA. 



neuters, which last are only females imperfectly develoj^ecl ; 

 and it is uj)on them that the work of the colony and the 

 care of the young entirely devolves. The nature and 

 form of the abode of these insects varies in accordance 

 with the instincts of the species ; some establish them- 

 selves under ground, others build edifices of considerable 

 height, surmounted by dome-shaped roofs, others again 

 reside in aged trees, the interior of which they pierce in 

 all directions with their galleries, which, however irregu- 

 lar they may seem, always lead to the nurseries of the 

 establishment. The labours of the industrious neuters 

 are very multifarious ; some go in search of provisions, in 

 the transport of which they mutually assist each other ; 

 some feed the yoimg, take them out on fine days to enjoy 



Fig. 108.— working axt and poution of ant hill. 



the sunshine, and watch over them with the tenderest care, 

 exhibiting in their defence a degree of courage well calcu- 

 lated to excite admiration. When their habitations are by 

 any means injured or destroyed, no time is lost in useless 

 despair, one spirit animates each individual, simultaneously 

 they set to work to repair their misfortune; they labour 

 unceasingly, nothing damps their ardour, oi' abates their 

 industry until, as if by magic, their habitation rises to its 

 former height and beauty, and all traces of ruin have dis- 

 appeared. 



The Wasps {Vespa) likewise live in society. Only 

 the females found new colonies. In the spring they lay 



