374 AFFECTION OF INSECTS FOR THEIR YOUNG. 



they distribute in like manner to the larger grubs, 

 which may be seen eagerly protruding their heads out 

 of the cells to receive the welcome meal. As wasps lay 

 up no store of food, these exertions are the task of every 

 day during the summer, fresh broods of grubs con- 

 stantly succeeding to those which have become pupae 

 or perfect insects ; and in autumn, when the colony is 

 augmented to 20 or 30,000, and the grubs in proportion, 

 the scene of bustle which it presents may be readily 

 conceived. 



Though such is the love of wasps for their young, 

 that if their nest be broken almost entirely in pieces 

 they will not abandon it% yet when the cold weather 

 approaches^ a melancholy change ensues, followed by a 

 cruel catastrophe, which at first you will be apt to re- 

 gard as ill comporting with this affectionate character. 

 As soon as the first sharp frost of October has been felt, 

 the exterior of a wasp's nest becomes a perfect scene 

 of horror. The old wasps drag out of the cells all the 

 grubs and unrelentingly destroy them, strewing their 

 dead carcases around the door of their now desolate 

 habitation. " What monsters of cruelty ! " I hear you 

 exclaim, " What detestable barbarians ! " But be not 

 too hasty. When you have coolly considered the cir- 

 cumstances of the case, you will view this seemingly 

 pruel sacrifice in a different light. The old wasps have 

 no stock of provisions : the benumbing hand of winter 

 is about to incapacitate them from exertion ; while the 

 season itself affords no supply. What resource then is 

 left? Their young must linger on a short period, suf- 

 fering all the agonies of hunger, and at length expirco 



* Reaum. vi. 174. 



