80 WASPS AND THEIRWAYS 



The hunter, combat for their young — so these, 

 Although but two, withdraw not from the gates, 

 Nor will, till they be slain or seized alive." 



Virgil speaks of the "fierce hornet" as 

 destroying bees, and Ovid tells how bald 

 Silenus undertook to rob a nest of hornets, 

 supposing they were bees. Out flew the 

 furious insects and sat them down upon 

 his bald pate and stung until he fell down 

 screaming for help. Bacchus appeared 

 upon the scene and mercifully plastered 

 mud upon the wounds, — the remedy still 

 in vogue, and probably the only one worth 

 trying. 



It is well to remember that wasps are 

 always more active and eager to sting in 

 hot weather and when the sun shines. He 

 who wishes to take a wasp's-nest, will fare 

 better to wait for a cold, damp day when 

 the insects are too chilly to be properly 

 resentful. 



In the Bible the Lord uses the hornets 

 to help clear a way for the chosen people. 



