308 WASPS AND THEIR WAYS 



tain Ague, if you catch her with your left 

 hand, and tie or fasten her to any part of 

 your body (always provided that it must 

 be the first Wasp that you lay hold on that 

 year)/' 



There are a number of curious and in- 

 teresting little creatures called gall-wasps, 

 which belong to the Order Hymenoptera, 

 but not to the wasp division. 



The so-called Fig-wasp with its remark- 

 able habit of fertilising figs, is not a wasp, 

 but belongs rather among the gall-insects, 

 which are boring, instead of stinging, 

 Hymenoptera. 



No doubt the solitary wasps play their 

 part in fertilising the flowers, and are 

 valued and necessary agents. 



It should not be forgotten that the 

 wasps, through their habit of using insects 

 to feed their young, are exceedingly valu- 

 able to the agriculturist. From a single 

 nest have been taken several dozens of 

 canker worms, and even where but few 



