398 THE WASP. 



transformed into an aurelia, though the legs and wings 

 are plainly to be seen ; and in about one-and-tvventy 

 days it becomes so completely active, that it pierces 

 a passage through its cell, when its officious attend- 

 ants instantly flock round it, and either begin feeding 

 it, or licking it dry, whilst the little animal testifies its 

 industrious disposition, by showing a propensity to be- 

 come an assistant in their toils. 



OF THE WASP. 



Though the bee and the wasp resemble each other 

 very strongly, there is not only a great difference in 

 their manners, but in the length of their lives ; the one 

 is a fierce and voracious animal, and subsists upon the 

 destruction of the smaller tribes ; whilst the other, 

 when unprovoked, is completely harmless, and contri- 

 butes to the health and benefit of mankind. 



The nest of a wasp is a most ingenious contrivance, 

 and has excited the attention of the curious in every 

 age; they are generally constructed in a hole, formed 

 by some other animal, as the field mouse, rat, or mole. 

 The form of these insects is perfectly calculated for 

 their undertaking, as they are furnished with two saws 

 on each side the mouth ; with these they cut away the 

 earth from their intended habitation, and then carry it 

 away with their legs or paws. Whilst some are em- 

 ployed in this occupation, others are busy in collecting 

 glue and pieces of wood that are decayed, which they 

 divide into -a multitude of small pieces, and form into 

 different apartments with their glue or paste. 



Each cell, like that of the bee, is formed hexagonal, 

 though they differ very much in size ; the larger ones 

 are supposed to be the habitation of the females, and 



