STARTING THE NEST 109 



It is very amusing to watch a young 

 Vespa coming out of its cell, tucked 

 away, all but the head and fore-legs, 

 and industriously cleaning its face and 

 hands and polishing up its antennae. 



It takes its time, and when it has rested 

 from the effort of uncapping its cell, and 

 has thoroughly made the toilet of its head 

 and hands, it begins to pull itself out. 



It grasps the surrounding comb with its 

 fore-feet, and struggles until it has pulled 

 out its second pair of legs. 



The remainder is easy, and in a moment 

 more a shining young wasp stands on the 

 comb and surveys its surroundings. 



