LEGS AND WINGS 71 



When the antenna is to be cleaned, the 

 leg is raised above it, the antenna is slipped 

 along until it rests in the groove, then the 

 leg is flexed, the valve or prong fits down 

 over the antenna, and as the latter is pulled 

 through, the edges of the valve on 

 one side, and the teeth of the groove 

 on the other, clean it perfectly. 



Vespa is particularly fond of exer- 

 cising these clever little arrangements 

 for keeping the antennae in order, and 

 whenever she is at rest may be seen 

 giving frequent dabs at her face, first one 

 side and then the other, each time drawing 

 an antenna through its cleaner. She seems 

 to do it unconsciously while she sits medi- 

 tating, as some people pull their moustaches 

 or twist their hair. Occasionally she makes 

 a careful and prolonged toilet, scraping 

 and pulling her antennae many times in 

 succession. 



Besides these admirable instruments for 

 toilet purposes, there is a pair of sharp 



