186 NATURAL HISTORY. 



stings are very painful ; the best remedy against bad 

 effects is to wash the injured part with a solution of 

 hartshorn and water. 



The Pasteboard Wasp (vespa chartaria) is smaller 

 than the common wasp, dark brown, with five yellow 

 seams on the abdomen. Found in South America, 

 where it is much feared on account of its severe sting. 

 Its manner of building is altogether remarkable. It 

 makes a large nest in the form of a truncated cone, 

 somewhat resembling a long bell, and composed of a 

 substance like beautiful white cardboard. The interior 

 is partitioned off into numerous passages with the same 

 material, the several openings of which connect with the 

 cells, which are appended to shelves, ranged along the 

 walls. 



The Hornets (vespa crabro), plate 28, fig. 8, mostly 

 make their nests in holes of trees, which they enlarge by 

 boring with their strong mandibles ; are almost as large 

 again as the wasp, which they resemble in form and 

 color. Not quarrelsome, they seldom attack unless pro- 

 voked ; their sting is said to be dangerous in hot weath- 

 er; and it is also asserted as a fact that "horses have been 

 killed by the assault of a troop of hornets ; some, indeed, 

 declare that nine of these insects are sufficient for effect- 

 ing such a catastrophe ; this, however, is not true. 



Not less remarkable in manner, habits, or industry, are 



THE AXTS (Formica;, 



Of which there are several races. Like the bees, they 

 are divided into workers, males and females, differing, 

 however, in one respect, namely, that instead of one 

 female only presiding in an anthill, there are several. 



