WASPS, SOCIAL AND SOLITARY 



tained a larva, and in the others were eggs, one of which 

 hatched on the next day and one on the day following. 

 This second one was probably laid just before the nest 

 was sealed, giving forty hours for the egg stage; and it 

 proved to be the healthiest of the three. The others per- 

 ished in early infancy; but this one passed twelve days 

 in eating, not only its own share of provisions, but those 

 destined for the other members of the family as well, 

 and then spun its cocoon. 



We afterwards saw many of these wasps working in 

 the logs of the cabin, and noticed that they seemed to 

 have seasons of leisure alternating with spells of active 

 work, as though when one cell had been rilled up and 

 the egg laid they felt at liberty to amuse themselves for 

 a time before beginning on another. When an entirely 

 new residence was to be chosen they went house-hunting 

 among the old holes in the logs ; and whether they had a 

 high standard of sanitary conditions, or whether they 

 objected to making extensive repairs, a great many 

 places were examined and rejected before they settled 

 down. The choice once made, many loads of pith were 

 carried out before the little householder was satisfied. 

 After the new abode was put to rights, the wasp would 

 pass a whole day in rest, spending much of the time in 

 looking out of her doorway and perhaps in observing 

 88 



