CLASSIFICATION OF THE SPECIES. 31 
from cold and wet, though some species are found in 
high northern latitudes*. But, wherever they occur, 
the family resemblance is well preserved, and the 
insects are clearly and easily recognizable as wasps 
by their form and colour and habit. Varying however 
in the mode in which they build their nests, and in the 
materials which they employ, according to the various 
necessities or opportunities of the climate or locality. 
It is however only with a small portion of this 
group that we have now to do. My own observa- 
tions have been pretty nearly limited to the British 
Vespee, and I would restrict myself to these. Though 
I am not unmindful of the kindness which has made 
me acquainted with many foreign species, and which 
has sent me from various parts of the world, from 
wherever my friends and wasps have crossed each 
other’s. paths, materials for the employment of my 
leisure hours. Perhaps if the letter-carrier knew 
that many of the little flat packets which he has left 
at the door contained live wasps he might think that 
his Christmas-box had been well deserved. How- 
ever, in justice to my friends, | must say that they 
were always so well packed that I never incurred a 
reproof from head-quarters on account of the dan- 
gerous nature of my correspondence. 
Every country child knows a wasp by sight, if not, 
the sooner this useful bit of knowledge is acquired 
the better. To many people this is the beginning 
and the end of what they know about wasps; to 
them a wasp is a yellow wasp, a creature with a 
sting, and nothing more. Yet there are some things 
* Smith. ‘Catalogue of British Aculeate Hymenoptera,’ 1858, 
p. 196. 
