10 ‘NATURAL HISTORY OF WASPS. 
classical Chorus speak confidently of what they have 
done in the smaller way, and exhort each other to go 
in and win accordingly, yet we cannot doubt that the 
modern invention of gunpowder has given the attack- 
ing party great advantages. And the classical torch 
could net have been nearly so safe or effectual as the 
squib which Young England brings into the field. 
Where the object is simply to destroy the swarm, 
as completely as possible, and with the least trouble, 
this is best effected by pouring a little tar into the 
entrance in such a way that each wasp as she comes 
in or goes out shall get a smear on her legs and 
wings. Nothing more is seen of the swarm after . 
this operation has been well performed ; and ina few 
days the nest may be dug out, with the certainty of 
finding not a single living wasp in it. This plan, 
however, is almost exclusively applicable to ground- 
nests, where there is a surface to be tarred over 
which the wasps must walk. For the tree-nests, 
after all, the ancient firebrand or its modern sub- 
stitutes are the best instruments of destruction when 
only green leaves and no hay-ricks are near, and the 
nest is not wanted for a specimen. But when we 
wish to preserve the nest we must proceed in another 
way, and the best, indeed the only way, is to cut it 
down or dig it out, taking care neither to injure the 
delicate structure, nor let ourselves be injured 
durmg what may be a very lengthened operation. 
Mr Wood* mentions a hornets’ nest which took six 
hours’ continuous labour to cut out of a tree. 
For this purpose a pair of strong gloves are wanted, 
with short sleeves sewn to the tops to tie round the 
* * Homes without Hands,’ p. 439. 
