HOW TO HANDLE A WASP 185 



handling a wasp, I confess, but it can be mastered by 

 any one, and I give the secret for the benefit of the 

 tyro naturalist, who may not be on such intimate terms 

 with his wasp neighbors. The safest season for experi- 

 ment is in September. You are now certain to find 

 your wasps in numbers upon the golden -rods just 

 emerged from their paper cells beneath the eaves or 

 fences. Creep up slyly, hold your open palm within a 

 foot of the insect, and murmur to your inmost self the 

 following brief sentiment, 



"Polistes ! Polistes ! bifrons ! proponito faciem /" 



and wait until the insect turns towards you, which it is 

 more or less certain to do ; then, with a quick clutch, 

 grasp your prize. It is not necessary to hold your 

 breath or wet your fingers, as is com- 

 monly supposed ; the above classic 

 charm will work quite as well without. ^^&^\ 

 After holding the insect in the hollow 

 of your hand for a moment, take him 

 boldly between your fin- 

 gers, roll him, pull him, 

 squeeze him, and twirl 

 him as you will ; no 

 amount of abuse will in 



^^^\ 

 ^ 



