HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 507 



of each nest two boies, by one of wltich the wasps uivl- 

 fonnly enter, and through the other issue from the nest, 

 and thus avoid all confusion or interruption of their 

 common hibours. As the isest is often a foot and a half 

 under ground, it is requisite that a covered way should 

 lead to its entrance. This is excavated by the wasps, 

 who are excellent miners, and is often very long- and 

 tortuous, forming a beaten road to the subterranean 

 city, well known to the inhabitants though its entrance 

 is concealed from incurious eyes. The cavity itself 

 which contains the nest is either the abandoned habi- 

 tation of moles or field-mice, or a cavern purpo ely dug 

 out by the wasps, which exert themselves with such 

 industry as to accomplish the arduous undertaking in 

 a few days. 



When the cavity and entrance to it are completed, 

 the next part of the process is to lay the foundations of 

 the city to be included in it, which, contrary to the 

 usual custom of builders, wasps ])egin at the top, con- 

 tinuing downwards. I have already told you that the 

 coatings Avhich compose the dome are a sort of rough 

 but thin paper, and that the rest of the nest is composed 

 of the same substance variously applied. "Whence," 

 you will inquire, " do the wasps derive it ? " They are 

 manufacturers of the article, and prepare it frorfs a 

 material even more singular than any of those which 

 have of late been proposed for this purpose ; namely, 

 the fibres of wood^. These they detach by means of 



* Reaam'ir says decaying wood, vi. 182 ; but White asserts (and my 

 ovvn observations confirm his opinion) that wasps obtain their paper 

 from sound tiaiber; hornets, only, from that which is decayed. While's 

 Nat. Ui.it. by Maikiiick, ii. 2S8. 



