The Mason-Wasps 



normally, in the Wasps'-nest, they have their 

 heads down. In this position is the pro- 

 tuberance on the breast of any service? I 

 cannot doubt it. 



By slightly bending its head, the larva can 

 always deposit on its projecting bib a por- 

 tion of the copious mouthful, which adheres 

 to it by reason of its stickiness. Further, 

 there is nothing to tell us that the nurse does 

 not herself deposit the surplus of her help- 

 ing on this spot. Whether it be above or 

 below the mouth, right way up or upside 

 down, the pectoral porringer fulfils its office 

 because of the sticky nature of the food. It 

 is a temporary saucer which shortens the 

 work of serving and enables the grub to feed 

 in a more or less leisurely fashion and with- 

 out too much gluttony. 



In the cage my Wasps are fed with honey, 

 which they disgorge for the larvae, once their 

 crops are full. Both nurses and nurselings 

 seem to thrive on this diet. Nevertheless, 

 I know that the usual food is game. I have 

 described elsewhere the hunting of the 

 Eristalis by the Common Wasp and of the 

 Hive-bee by the Hornet. 1 The moment she 

 is caught, the big Fly in particular is dis- 



1 Cf. The Hunting Wasps: chap. vii. — Translator's 

 Note. 



276 



