182 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



Like other drones these also had long 

 antenna, by which, and their white faces, 

 they could be recognised at a glance. 



Sir John Lubbock once took a specimen 

 of Polistes with her nest, in the Pyrenees 

 early in May. She became very tame, and 

 lived till near the end of February. 



Sir John Lubbock's account of her death 

 is quite touching. 



" One day," he says, " I observed she had 

 nearly lost the use of her antennas, though 

 the rest of the body was as usual. She 

 would take no food. Next day I tried again 

 to feed her; but the head seemed dead, 

 though she could still move her legs, wings, 

 and abdomen. The following day I offered 

 her food for the last time ; for both head and 

 thorax were dead or paralysed ; she could 

 but move her tail, a last token, as I could 

 almost fancy, of gratitude and affection. 



" As far as I could judge, her death was 

 quite painless ; and she now occupies a 

 place in the British Museum." 



