64 LECTURE V. 



of them were, in consequence, taken off, when a 

 wasps' nest was found built on the rafters, so 

 that it could readily be removed perfectly en- 

 tire. It was a beautiful structure, the outside 

 appearing as if covered with small brown shells, 

 and it measured 3^ft. in circumference. I sent 

 it to the Zoological Museum. Now, this large 

 nest must have been made in the course of five 

 or six months. 



The nests of hornets are equally curious ; but 

 they use green wood in forming them. They 

 are generally found in hollow trees, but some- 

 times on the branches of firs ; so that, probably, 

 like the wasps, there are two species. They 

 are a dangerous insect, as their sting is very 

 severe. They are also very strong. I once 

 placed a hornet under a common wine glass, 

 when it got its fore feet under the edge of the 

 glass, and thus lifted it up, and made its escape. 

 I also once saw a hornet carry away a small 

 pear from my garden. Like wasps, the female 

 hornet is the parent of the colony. She re- 

 mains torpid during the winter, and in the 

 spring leaves her retreat, and begins making 

 her nest. All the workers, both those of the 

 wasps and hornets, die in the winter. This is 



