THE MASONS 225 



second tier of cells, if the nests are dis- 

 turbed all of the occupants are exposed to 

 the air, which is fatal to their lives. 



The young of these wasps develop and 

 spin their cocoons the same as those of 

 the common mud-daubers. 



There is a pretty little creature belonging 

 to the family of the true wasps, that makes 

 a nest of mud or clay in the form of 

 a tiny vase, and many a time the 

 dainty piece of pottery has been 

 found on a bush and wondered 

 over. 



The little vase is stored with in- 

 sects, an egg is laid on one of them, 

 and the mouth of the jar is sealed. 

 Sometimes a whole row of these 

 pretty pygmy vases are found on one 

 twig, though more often but one is found 

 at a time. 



There are a number of small wasps 



that have most interesting and sometimes 



15 



