The Mason-Wasps 



magnificent discovery of the surrounding 

 wrapper cushioned with air, than which our 

 own physicists could imagine no better pro- 

 vision against cold. And these superb in- 

 ventions are supposed to have been achieved 

 quite simply by the clumsy intellect which is 

 unable to use an entrance-door as an exit- 

 door! Such marvels inspired by such inep- 

 titude leave me profoundly incredulous. 

 Actions of this kind have a higher origin. 



We will now open the thick envelope of 

 the nest. The interior is occupied by the 

 combs, or disks of cells, lying horizontally 

 and fastened one to the other by solid pillars. 

 The number varies. Towards the end of 

 the season it may be as many as ten, or even 

 more. The orifice of the cells is on the 

 lower surface. In this strange world, the 

 young grow, sleep and receive their food 

 head downwards. 



For service-purposes, open spaces, with 

 rows of connecting pillars, divide the various 

 stories. Here is a continual coming and go- 

 ing of nurses, busily attending to their grubs. 

 Lateral doorways, between the outer en- 

 velope and the stack of combs, give easy ac- 

 cess to every part. Lastly, on one side of 

 the wrapper, the open gate of the city stands, 

 devoid of architectural adornment, a modest 

 256 



