334 THE HORNET. 



lation, are admirably contrived for securing the 

 cells from injury by water. The nest, when hang- 

 ing in its proper situation, is like the commencement 

 of some paper- work flower, and can never be ob- 

 served but with admiration at the elegance of its 

 structure ; and the unusual appearance of the 

 whole must excite the attention of the most in- 

 curious observer of such things. (See Plate 6, 

 Fig.l.) 



Every day events manifest to very superficial 

 observation, that no created being, from the mon- 

 ster of the ocean, " that makes the deep boil like a 

 pot of ointment/' to the insect, that feebly creeps 

 on the ground, exists free from the persecutions or 

 annoyance of another. Some may be subject to 

 fewer injuries than others, but none are wholly 

 exempt : the strong assail by power, and become 

 assaulted themselves by the minute or weak. This 

 year (1826) the hornet (vespa crabro) abounded 

 with us in unusual numbers, and afforded constant 

 evidence of its power and voracity, that could not 

 have been exceeded by any ravenous beast. In our 

 gardens the imperious murmur of four or five of 

 them at a time might be frequently heard about our 

 fruit trees. They would occasionally extract the 

 sweet liquor from the gage, or other rich plums ; 

 but the prime object of their visit was to seize the 

 wasps, that frequented the same places. This they 

 not only did when the creature was feeding on the 



