VESPA'S FOOD SUPPLY 67 



hungry caged hornet. One should move 

 gently, slowly, invitingly, and her lady- 

 ship, forgetting all cause for resentment 

 in the joy of discovering food, will 

 climb in a friendly way upon the offered 

 fmger; and no wasp is ever dastardly 

 enough to sting a fmger upon which it 

 voluntarily and in a calm frame of mind 

 has climbed, that is, unless it becomes 

 frightened before it leaves of its own 

 accord. 



It is never safe to frighten hornets. 



Sometimes her ladyship finds the warm 

 finger attractive for its own sake, and par- 

 ticularly on a chilly day will sit contentedly 

 panting her abdomen after the syrup is 

 eaten and the holder is quite ready to end 

 the experiment and return the wasp to her 

 cage. 



This can be done by gently placing a 

 slip of paper in front of her and shoving 

 her off the finger, or if the nerve fails, a 

 quick flip will safely dislodge her. 



