THE TAPER WASP AND HIS DOINGS loi 



of that pesky fly which had been annoying you 

 for so long, and which is even now being masti- 

 cated into an unctuous pellet in some secluded 

 corner of the piazza, or is perhaps being borne on 

 buzzing maternal wings to the little 

 white grub in the hornet nest yon- 

 der in the pines." 



And this is all there 

 is to the "mad" of the 

 hornet. He is gener- 

 ally not half as mad 

 as are his detractors. 

 He is simply minding 

 his own business, and 

 is as busy as a bee in 

 his own way; and if 

 his critics will only 

 mind theirs, there 

 need be no fear that 

 he will try " konklu- 

 sions" with them, or 

 even give a hint of 

 his "javelin." 



This curious epi- 

 sode may be witnessed by any one who will take 

 the trouble to closely observe the wasp. The 

 sunny side of the barn or stable is generally the 

 favorite hunting - ground, and any one who will 

 spend a half -hour in following the efforts of a 



