CLASSIFICATION OF THE SPECIES. 29 
smith would ever have dreamed of finding in such a 
place. A neighbour, if not a relative, of this wasp 
tried perseveringly, but without success, to establish 
herself in the housekeeper’s work-box, and another 
temporarily took possession of the keyhole of the 
kitchen clock-case, which, but for the weekly neces- 
sity of winding up the clock she might have perma- 
nently occupied. Undisturbed by accidents, another 
colony of these little creatures slept unheeded in the 
_ drawer of an old-fashioned looking-glass through the 
winter; and one fine summer morning a dozen or 
more wasps greeted the astonished eyes of the house- 
maid. 
The Odyneri are not very conspicuous insects, and, 
except in quest of nesting places, do not generally 
obtrude themselves on public notice. If we look out 
for them we may find them and their nests every- 
where, the wasps about every flower, the nests in 
many a neglected window-frame. But unless we 
are in quest of them we may readily overlook them, 
and at least they very rarely inform us of their pre- 
sence by their sting. Probably with most persons 
they might pass for coloured flies, and so escape the 
summary execution which awaits all insects called 
wasps when caught. I would not willingly correct 
a mistake which preserves the lives of these little 
useful creatures, whose whole existence is spent in 
our service. It is literally so: the quantity of cater- 
pillars they destroy is quite incalculable. Rarely, if 
ever, do they interfere with us, unless an ill-fitting 
mortice, or an old drawer, tempts them to claim some 
hospitality in return for the good service which they 
are always doing us. I commend them to the pro- 
