194 TURTLE, WASP. 



dangerous animal, defending itself vigorously with its legs 

 and mouth, which latter possesses a very strong grasp. It 

 is amphibious, and inhabits the same seas with the green 

 turtle, extending however to more remote latitudes, being 

 found in the Mediterranean. In a commercial point of 

 view, it is of small value ; its flesh is coarse and rank, and 

 its shell too thin for use. It is said to afford a good 

 quantity of oil, proper for burning in lamps. 



THE IMBRICATED TURTLE 



Furnishes the substance called tortoise-shell, of which 

 consist the plates of its shell, excelling those of the other 

 species in thickness, strength, and transparency. A large 

 turtle yields about eight pounds of tortoise-shell. In order 

 to shape the tortoise-shell, it must be softened by steeping 

 in boiling water, and then moulded in a metallic frame of 

 the desired form. When the pieces must be joined, their 

 edges are scraped thin, and being laid over each while 

 heated are submitted to a strong press, by which they are 

 completely united : the same method is used in orna- 

 menting it with precious metals, &c. 



THE WASP 



Has jaws, but no proboscis ; the upper wings are plaited, 

 the sting concealed, the body smooth. It is a very exten- 

 sive genus, and shares with the bee the reputation of the 

 skilful architect. The Vespa Vulgaris, or common Wasp 

 makes a nest in some sunny bank. It is of a round form, 

 about ten inches in diameter, inclosed in several layers of 

 covering. The cells are placed in stories of one in height, 

 which are supported one over the other by pillars ; the 

 whole formed of a substance like coarse paper, consisting 

 of the fibrous parts of vegetables, united by a glutinous 

 matter from the Wasp's mouth. The swarm consists of a 

 great number of working Wasps, a few males, and fewer 

 females. The females deposit a single egg in each cell. 

 The larvae are like the maggots of the bee, and the pupae 

 like the perfect insect, half- formed and whitish. The 

 Wasps lay up no store for winter ; the few who survive 

 that season remaining torpid. They eat fruits, and de- 

 cayed vegetable and animal matter.. 



