228 THE HORNET. 



hornet. The first operation was to snip off the head, 

 then to cut away the lower part by the waist ; and, when 

 near, we could hear them shearing away the outer coat 

 from the body, and crushing it with their strong mandi- 

 bles ; sometimes devouring it, but generally only suck- 

 ing the juices it contained. Their avidity for this sort 

 of food is very manifest when the grape ripens on the 

 wall : being commonly the only remaining fruit, the 

 wasp abounds there ; the hornets flock to the prey, and 

 we may see them in constant progress, bearing their 

 victims from the bunches. The wasp itself seizes the 

 house-fly ; but this seems rather the display of wanton 

 power than for food, as it bears the fly about with it for 

 a length of time, and drops it unconsumed. The fly, 

 in its turn, is conducive after its manner to the death 

 of many an animal. We know not any insect that de- 

 stroys the hornet ; but its power and being are termi- 

 nated by some very effective agent, as in particular 

 years it is almost unknown.* Though we may not often 

 perceive the means by which certain races are reduced 

 in number, more than their multiplication effected, yet 

 we are frequently sensible that it is accomplished. 



I do not recollect any creature less obnoxious to harm 

 than the common snail (helix aspersa) of our gardens. 

 A sad persevering depredator and mangier it is ; and 

 when we catch it at its banquet on our walls, it can ex- 

 pect no reprieve from our hands. But our captures are 

 partial and temporary ; and, secured in its strong shell, 

 it seems safe from external dangers ; yet its time comes, 

 and one weak bird destroys it in great numbers. In the 

 winter season, the common song-thrush feeds sparingly 

 upon the berries of the white-thorn, and the hedge 



* The hornet is a very pugnacious animal. They will fight des- 

 perately with each other at times, when they meet in pursuit of prey, 

 biting each other's body, and trying to get their mandibles under the 

 head of their opponents, to snip it off I one day confined under a 

 glass two of these creatures, which had been fighting. One had 

 evidently the mastery ; but both had been so injured in the contest, 

 that they soon died ; and it is most probable that they fall victims to 

 each other's voracity, in the cold, damp season that usually terminates 

 the autumn of our year. 



