192 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



and each completely covered with cells. When 

 the nest is finished, it is about a foot in diame- 

 ter, and contains upwards of fifteen thousand 

 cells. 



Harriet. What do they want with so many 

 cells, if none of them are used for honey ? 



Aunt M. They require them for the accom- 

 modation of the young ; for the old wasp is not, 

 like the queen of the hive bees, the mother of 

 the whole family. As the young ones grow 

 older, they also deposit eggs ; so that she has 

 not only her children, but her grand-children, 

 around her, and this makes a very large family. 



The male wasps are not an idle race, like the 

 drones of the hive bees. They do not procure 

 building materials, nor aid in nursing, but they 

 assist in carrying burdens, and attend to keeping 

 the nest clean, clearing out any dirt or rubbish 

 which may happen to get into the cells ; and as 

 they make themselves useful in the family, they 

 appear to be treated with as much kindness 

 as the rest, instead of being killed like the 

 drones. 



Mary. Aunt Mary, what do wasps eat ? 



