WASPS' NESTS ; MELLIPERA. 



169 



PHYSIOL. Fig. 267). Wasps feed in their perfect state 

 upon insects, meat, fruit, &c. ; and nourish their young with 

 the juices of those substances. A Brazilian species stores 

 up an abundant provision of honey. The nests of the Solitary 



Wasps are formed of 

 earth ; they are some- 

 times concealed in holes 

 of walls, in the earth, or 

 old wood; and some- 

 times they are fixed to 

 plants. The parents 

 store them with insects 

 or caterpillars, which 



they have previously wounded with their stings. These nests 

 contain a succession of cells, in each of which a single egg is 

 deposited. 



696. Section IV. The Hymenoptera belonging to the 

 Melliferous, or honey-collecting divisions of the Aculeata, are 

 known by the peculiar conformation of the hind-feet ; of which 

 the first joint is compressed and extended 

 into the form of a square plate, and pro- 

 vided on the inside with brush-like tufts ; 

 these organs are employed for the purpose 

 of collecting and carrying the pollen of 

 flowers, which is destined for the nourish- 

 ment of the young. All the insects of this 

 tribe are commonly known by the name of 

 Bees ; but the tribe, like that of Wasps, 



, . ft. . /, FIG. 388. HIND LEG OK 



contains two dmerent groups, in one ot WORKING BEE. 

 which the species are all solitary, and there 

 are only two kinds of individuals males and females in each ; 

 whilst the others mostly live in societies of greater or less extent, 

 but are chiefly distinguished from the former by certain pecu- 

 liarities in the structure of the mouth. 



697. Of the Solitary Bees, which constitute the family 

 ANDRJENIDJE, there are many curious varieties ; some of which 

 go under the names of Mason, Carpenter, and Upholsterer Bees, 

 from the materials on which they respectively work ; the first 



