370 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



liquid which they disgorge. The cells in the combs are hexagonal, 

 and very regular, like those of bees."* 



Wasps collect the materials with which they build near the place 



Fig. 347. — The Hornet {Vespa crahro). 



where they have chosen to establish their domicile. These materials 

 are ligneous fibre, mixed up with saliva, with the aid of which they 

 prepare the paper-like substance, which is very tough, and destined; 

 to form the walls of the cells and their outer covering. The greateil 

 number make their habitation in the ground.^ 

 Of these is our Common Wasp ( Vespa vu/gariSy 

 Fig. 345), which is black, agreeably con-i 

 trasted with bright yellow. The Bush Wasi; 

 ( V. norvegica. Fig. 346), which inhabits woods, 

 constructs its nest between the branches olj 

 shrubs or bushes. It is smaller than the 

 common species. The Hornet (Fig. 347) is 

 the largest European species of the family ol 

 the Vespidce. Its nest, which is constructed 

 of a yellowish and very fragile substance, is 

 built under a roof, in a loft, or in the hole 01 

 an old wall, but most often in the hollow of a decayed tree. Anothei 

 species of this family {Poltstes gallica, Fig. 348) fixes its Httle nest b) 

 a foot-stalk to the stem of some plant. 



Wasps begin laying in spring, and go on laying all the summer. 

 Each cell receives one single ^%%^ and, as with bees, the w^orkers' eggs 

 are the first laid. Eight days after the laying, there comes out ol 

 each egg a larva without feet, and already provided with two man- 

 dibles. These larvae receive their food in the form of balls, which 



Fig. 348. — Polistes gallica. 



* " Memoires pour servir a I'HistQire des lusectes," tome ii., p. 765. Tr 

 410. Stockholm, 1 771. 



