COMMON WASPS 95 



right consistency such are my weapons, which I have come 

 to consider the best and simplest, after various trials with 

 less successful means. 



The suffocating method is necessary, unless I use costly 

 measures which I cannot afford. When Reaumur wanted 

 to place a live Wasp's nest in a glass case with a view to 

 observing the habits of the inmates, he employed helpers who 

 were used to the painful job, and were willing, for a hand- 

 some reward, to serve the man of science at the cost of their 

 skins. But I, who should have to pay with my own skin, 

 think twice before digging up the nest I desire. I begin by 

 suffocating the inhabitants. Dead Wasps do not sting. It 

 is a brutal method, but perfectly safe. 



I use petrol because its effects are not too violent, and 

 in order to make my observations I wish to leave a small 

 number of survivors. The question is how to introduce it 

 into the cavity containing the Wasp's nest. A vestibule, or 

 entrance-passage, about nine inches long, and very nearly 

 horizontal, leads to the underground cells. To pour the 

 petrol straight into the mouths of this tunnel would be a 

 blunder that might have serious consequences later on. For 

 so small a quantity of petrol would be absorbed by the soil 

 and would never reach the nest ; and next day, when we 

 might think we were digging safely, we should find an in- 

 furiated swarm under the spade. 



The bit of reed prevents this mishap. When inserted 

 into the passage it forms a water-tight funnel, and carries 

 the petrol to the cavern without the loss of a drop, and as 

 quickly as possible. Then we fix the lump of kneaded clay 

 into the entrance-hole, like a stopper. We have nothing to 

 do now but wait. 



When we are going to perform this operation Paul and 

 I set out, carrying a lantern and a basket with the imple- 

 ments, at nine o'clock on some mild, moonlit evening. While 

 the farm-house Dogs are yelping at each other in the distance, 

 and the Screech Owl is hooting in the olive-trees, and the 



