WORKERS, QUEENS, AND DRONES 129 



of the nests and the habits of the wasps. 

 He describes their hexagonal cells, which 

 he compared to those of bees, adding that 

 they are not formed of wax, but of a 

 web-like membrane, made of the bark of 

 trees. He also describes the young in the 

 cells, and tells us that in his time the 

 wasps were so harmful to the bees that 

 the bee fanciers caught them in pans in 

 which they had placed pieces of meat. 

 When many had collected in the pan it 

 was covered and set on the fire. 



Wasps are still fond of bees and when 

 able will catch them and carry them as 

 food to their nests. They are very fond 

 of honey, so no wonder the honey-laden 

 bee should be a tempting morsel, combin- 

 ing as it does both honey and juicy insect 

 food. 



Aristotle accurately describes the queen 

 wasps and the workers. He also gives a 

 clear and accurate account of nest-making, 

 the rearing of workers first, and later of 



