76 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



IS held between the thumb and forefinger 

 by the thorax, the operator being careful 

 what she is doing with her sting end 

 meantime, a very distinct vibration of the 

 whole thorax is felt. Indeed the head and 

 the upper part of the legs share these curi- 

 ous motions, and a high-keyed buzzing is 

 heard even when the wings are not moved 

 at all. 



Like the bee the wasp's " spiracles " or 

 openings to the air-cavities in thorax and 

 abdomen contain vocal organs, particularly 

 those in the thorax, and when these are 

 thrown into vibration they give rise to the 

 shrill outcry of the captured insect. In 

 the air-cavities of thorax and abdomen the 

 blood is aerated as our own is in our 

 lungs. 



Concerning Vespa's voice, MoflFett, an 

 early English writer, in his entertaining 

 "Theatre of Insects," says, — 



"They make a sound as Bees do, but 

 more fearful, hideous, terrible, and whistel- 



