HYMENOPTERA. 



371 



than ordinary flies. A great number of other bees are known, 

 but their habits are little understood, and we shall not occupy our- 

 selves about them. 



WASPS. 



Every one knows the wasps as a race of dangerous brigands 

 which live by rapine, are incessantly fighting battles, and which 



Fig. 344. Wasps' Nest. 



exist only to do harm. However, wasps, like Figaro, are better 

 than they are reputed to be. Their societies are admirably 

 organized ; their nests are models of industry and artistic fancy. 

 They have even certain domestic virtues which deserve our 

 esteem, only they are an excitable race it is well not to cross. 

 If great heat adds to their natural irritability, they savagely 

 attack those who annoy them, and pursue them to a distance. 

 No one, indeed, is ignorant that their sting is very painful. In 



B B 2 



