106 



WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



her head, — each time pulling out sticky 

 threads that harden into silk. 



Thus moving her head about, she 

 lines all but the bottom of her cell 

 with soft, tough, white silk; then 

 she reaches out her head and weaves 

 back and forth, back and forth, over 

 the opening to her cell, until she 

 has formed a strong cap or roof over her 

 head. From the very beginning she has 

 more responsibility than the young bee; 

 no fond nurse seals the opening to her 

 cell, she is obliged to do that wholly for 

 herself. The cap made, the infant is now 

 lying in a silken bag of her own manufac- 

 ture, open at one end and closed at the 

 other with a cap of silk that is heavier 

 than the silk used in making the rest of 

 the bag. 



Her cocoon, if such it can be called, is 

 much heavier and stronger than the simi- 

 lar covering the young bee makes for 

 itself. 



