102 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



in the bottom, enclosing the 

 ^ group of cells, but not attached 

 to them. The first wall made 

 consists of but one layer of grey 

 paper, and at that stage the nest 

 looks its prettiest. 

 Vespa finally devotes all her time to 

 caring for her progeny, for in a few days 

 the first eggs laid have hatched into tiny 

 white maggot-like larvae, and every day 

 more eggs hatch out. Queen Vespa is 

 obliged to go hunting food for these 

 ravenous infants. They are still attached 

 to the side of the cell by the tail end, 

 but their mouths are free, and are al- 

 ways ready to open for something to 

 be put in. 

 They have little round white heads, with 

 little pin points of eyes and a pair of tiny, 

 brown, horny jaws. The eyes of the 

 larva are simple, the compound eyes 

 not appearing until the adult form. 

 When the comb is jarred, out are 



