AMONG THE TOILERS 201 



communal principles that they have each a sepa- 

 rate home, laboriously constructed on a carefully 

 chosen site. One of the most interesting is also 

 one of the commonest the mason-wasp, which may 

 be seen from the beginning of May till the middle 

 of August. It is much thinner and smaller than 

 the common wasp, which it otherwise resembles, 

 except that its black rings are rather wider, and its 

 flight far less active. It is a true mason, and builds 

 a home, not with vegetable fibres in the manner of 

 the common wasp, but with stone and mortar, so 

 strong as to withstand all the heat of summer and 

 the winter rains. This toiler is provided with the 

 usual weapon, but it is a peaceable insect, gener- 

 ally too much occupied with its own concerns 

 to notice people. When collecting materials on a 

 path, it may almost be stepped upon before 

 rising ; and if disturbed in its diligent search for 

 caterpillars, it quietly flits away to another bush, 

 and resumes its occupation. 



When seen on a path, it might easily be mistaken 

 for a fly, but on closer inspection it is seen to be 

 gathering up a little lump of mud between the 

 forelegs. The insect flies off with this load, which 



