THE MINERS 285 



nearly all the segments. The number of 

 stings applied and the order in which they 

 are given depend upon the individual wasp. 

 They all understand in a general way the 

 advisability of stinging a caterpillar more 

 than once, but beyond this they exercise 

 their own judgment. 



While the miners generally live quite 

 apart from each other, some species con- 

 gregate together in colonies, as do certain 

 species of the solitary bees; where this 

 is the case it is quite an experience to 

 come upon the broad, bare spot usually 

 selected by these fierce-looking settlers. 

 Each wasp has her own hole, which she 

 locates accurately and finds immediately 

 after an absence; she does not stumble 

 into her neighbour's nursery, and probably 

 would meet a very bad reception if she 

 did. These wasps must possess quite en- 

 viable powers of observation, as well as 

 very reliable memories, to enable them to 



