INSECTA. 185 



beating on some metallic substance, or sprinkling the 

 swarm with a few drops of water from a watering pot ; 

 it is supposed that the same instinct which warns them 

 against thunder and rain, induces them to obey this 

 admonition. 



Hive bees have many enemies ; beside the common 

 insect foes, wasps, mice, wax-moths, and the death's- 

 head butterfly pursue them constantly. Resembling 

 them are 



The Humble Bees (bombus), which are thick, hairy 

 insects, making their nests in holes in the earth, under 

 moss, etc. These are, however, not constructed with the 

 same neat and artistic skill as those of the. honey bees, 

 nevertheless, they collect honey and wax in the same 

 manner, and cherish the young larvae as carefully. 



The Common Wusp (vespa vulgaris) is of a citron 

 color, marked with black ; one inch long, and makes a 

 nest in the earth, or among hedges mostly the former 

 in which some cavity about as large in circumference 

 as a common nine-pin ball, is chosen for the foundation 

 of a kind of city, in which are large spaces that may be 

 likened to streefs, and the combs to houses, all sur- 

 rounded by a wall, in its texture resembling paper. The 

 method of fabricating this material is as follows : they 

 detach particles of old wood or bark with their mandibles, 

 reduce and moisten them to the consistence of a kind of 

 paste; this rolled into a ball, they carry home and use 

 in the construction of their nests. They have several 

 queens, which dwell together in amity ; live on sweet 

 fruits, and animal substances, and are bold and rapacious 

 robbers ; nevertheless they are very tender to, and care- 

 ful of their young, carrying most of their booty home to 

 distribute to the larvae. The wounds caused by their 



