154 THOSE OTHER ANIMALS. 



will be inclined to admit that it does a good deal of pot- 

 tering about. The wasp has no time for this sort of thing ; 

 it knows how much there is to be done, and that there 

 is not a single moment to be wasted. The queen is laying 

 her eggs; there are the materials for the houses to be 

 collected, ground up into paste, and spread ; there is food 

 for the grubs to be gathered, and supplies for the builders 

 to be brought in. The work has got to be done, and there 

 is no time to be fooling about. There is, then, no reason 

 whatever for surprise, and still less for blame, that when the 

 wasp is interrupted in its work it loses its temper at once. 

 It is angry when, having entered at an open window, and 

 gathered from a jam-pot, a dish, or a jug for the wasp is 

 not particular a supply of food, it finds that its way back 

 to its hungry friends is barred by a strange smooth obstacle, 

 through which it cannot pass. Many men know to their 

 cost how small a 'thing rouses the temper of a woman 

 engaged in the arduous operations of washing or cooking, 

 and are careful in avoiding the neighbourhood of the wash- 

 house or kitchen upon such occasions ;' and yet they make 

 no allowance whatever for similar irritation on the part of 

 the busy wasp ! Again, blame is imputed to the wasp 

 because it waxes wroth if it be flapped at with a hand- 

 kerchief or hat; but surely there is nothing surprising in 

 this ? Men take offence at practical jokes, especially 

 practical jokes of a dangerous kind ; and the wasp naturally 

 regards these wanton attacks upon it, when actively engaged 

 in the business of the community, as dangerous imperti- 

 nences, and is not to be blamed for resenting them. The 

 more one examines into the habits of the bee and the wasp 

 respectively, the more one is convinced that the high 



