54 
XI. 
OUR SOCIAL WASPS, 
BY 
G. DOWKER, Esqa., F.G.S. 
Read NOVEMBER 3, 1885. 
The observations communicated were mainly of a practical 
character ; relating more to the habitations and habits of the 
insects than to their distinctive characters and classification, and 
were confined almost exclusively to the neighbourhood of the 
Author’s Residence; the District includes a considerable expanse of 
meadow and marsh lands, in which woodland is not common. The 
soil is chiefly clay, sands, and gravel, and wild Bees and Wasps are 
generally very abundant. In 1884, the gardener took 75 nests on 
the premises; und in 1885, 30. From want of sufficient literary 
reference at the time, the author was led to make more careful and 
strict investigation of the Species and their habits that came 
within his observations than he might otherwise have done, and 
consequently they had a more original and independent character. 
The Vespide or Social Wasps were alone concerned in the inquiry ; 
the Eumenidz or Solitary Wasp being excluded, though | 
Mr. Dowker had met with several species. A special result of this 
study of the habits and peculiarities of the Social Wasps, was the 
conclusion that they are the most maligned and illused of Insects, 
on whom the most relentless persecution and ruthless destruction is 
awarded. With the large number of Wasps living and breeding in 
the neighbourhood, there were few instances in which any of the 
inmates of the house had been stung; while the more favoured 
Honey Bees were constantly venting their irritability by attacking 
and stinging those who approached their hives. One year’s 
experience gave plenty of facts to show how the good effects of the 
Wasp more than counterbalanced the evil. Whilst watching to 
ascertain in what way and with what material the Wasps constructed 
their nests, it was observed, in the early part of 1885, that they 
were very busily engaged amongst the leaves of a long Avenue of 
Limes opposite the house. It was found on careful and persever- 
ing scrutiny that they were not barkiug the trees for fibres to make 
the materials for their nests, as indicated by several authors, 
but that they were busy carrying away the aphides that existed in 
great abundance on the Limes. Again, many were found in the 
greenhouse, performing the same office with the aphides there. 
Difficulties occurring in identifying the material taken by a par- — 
ticular Wasp with the structure of the nest it belonged to; 
microscopical examination of the nests was resorted to. Over 100 
nests were examined. ‘Two different descriptions of paper, used 
