96 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



the breeze made by her little wings can be 

 distinctly felt. Her small face is close to 

 yours, her large eyes gazing intently into 

 your own ; and there she hangs while you, 

 flattered by her close attention, sit and look 

 calmly back at her or close your eyes until 

 the close buzzing of her ladyship ceases to 

 roar in your ears. One living in a region 

 of wasps becomes quite familiar with these 

 spring visits, and at least one person feels 

 slighted if Queen Vespa enters the room 

 and goes out without noticing its human 

 occupant. It is unnecessary to say that 

 wasps under such circumstances never 

 sting. They are simply about their busi- 

 ness, trying to get an education out of 

 the only book at their command. In a few 

 weeks these large yellow queens disappear. 

 Other, smaller, less prodigally yellow creat- 

 ures roam the fields, but the large queens 

 are absorbed in domestic duties that keep 

 them within their doors. 

 The queen-hornets also intrude their 



