n WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



prongs on the lower end of the fifth joint 

 of Vespa's middle and hind legs, and these 

 are used in cleaning the legs and wings. 

 The wasp is very skilful with them, evi- 

 dently understanding perfectly their value 

 as articles of the toilet 



Otherwise Vespa's legs are not remark- 

 able. She does not use them for pollen 

 gathering, and so lacks the pollen-collecting 

 implements of the bee, and she does not 

 use them to any great extent in nest- 

 building, — that important and interesting 

 work being performed principally by her 

 jaws and tongue. 



Vespa goes whizzing through the world 

 propelled by wings that in themselves do 

 not appear capable of sustaining her weight 

 in the air. Nor were they capable but 

 for the powerful motor that impels them 

 with such force and skill that they are 

 apparently able to defy the attraction of 

 gravitation, and spurning the earth bear 

 her aloft in the air. 



