22 



chamber. This consists, in the first instance, of what may be 

 termed a pedicle or footstalk, something like half an inch in 

 length, at the extremity of which an hexagonal cell is formed, 

 and around it six others. Simultaneously with the formation of 

 the cells an umbrella-shaped covering is being prepared above 

 them, and, at the same time, an egg is deposited in each cell. 

 More cells are gradually added, an egg being deposited in each as 

 soon as formed, while constant additions are made to the covering 

 till it has assumed a somewhat spherical form, with only an 

 aperture sufficient for the ingress or egress of the builder. This 

 work is carried on with great rapidity, eight or ten cells, with a 

 covering over them, being finished in some thirty-six hours from 

 the commencement. 



Xo sooner has one covering been completed than a second, 

 a trifle larger, is begun, and, when this is completed, a third, 

 larger, and so on. In from four to eight days, the period varying 

 according to the temperature, the eggs are hatched, when the 

 parent wasp has to perform the duty of supplying the young 

 larvge with food in addition to the task of enlarging the nest. 

 The larvEe require to be fed for 12 or 15 days, when, having 

 become full grown, they change into nymphse, in which state 

 they continue some 10 days longer, and then undergo their 

 final change into perfect wasps. In the course of a few hours 

 after their appearance in the winged state they may be seen 

 actively employed in the work of enlarging the nest, or minister- 

 ing to the wants of their larval brethren. 



When a sufficient number of the young wasps have emerged 

 from the cells, the parent does not again quit the nest, but 

 occupies herself in the task of producing eggs as fast as recep- 

 tacles for them can be formed. Those only from which neuters 

 or workers proceed are laid during the earlier part of the season ; 

 later on those which produce males are also laid, and towai'ds the 

 close of the season those which produce females. 



The combs formed by wasps diff'er from those formed by 

 the honey bee, the former being placed horizontally, and the 

 cells occupying only the underside, with the mouth of each coll 

 downwards, while those of the latter insect are placed in a 

 vertical position with the cells opening on either side. 



As the work of the nest progresses it is obvious that the 



