48 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



Bees too visit them, for their honey is 

 abundant, and the bees find them, notwith- 

 standing their dull colours, quite as readily 

 as do the wasps. 



But there are many wasps to one bee 

 about the figworts, which at that season 

 of the year are often the only flowers in 

 bloom that yield tribute to wasps, while 

 the bees can satisfy themselves at other 

 fountains. 



The figwort is a cunning schemer, whose 

 dainty green or purple urns do not stand 

 filled with nectar with no other purpose 

 than the pleasure of the wasps and bees. 

 They go to it for honey, and this it gra- 

 ciously gives, then makes them the bearers 

 of its pollen grains. To it they bring 

 pollen from neighbouring figworts; from 

 it they bear pollen. 



The figwort holds its ripened pistil forth 

 in the passage-way to its banquet hall, and 

 whoever enters must brush the ready 

 stigma. Thus, sooner or later, it is sure 



