The Common Wasp 



not one of them scratches with her feet at 

 the base of the treacherous circle. This 

 means of escape is too far above their men- 

 tal capacity. 



A few Wasps have spent the night out of 

 doors. Here they are, coming in from the 

 fields. Round and round the bell-glass they 

 fly; at last, after much hesitation, one of 

 them decides to dig under the edge of the en- 

 closing wall. Others are quick to follow her 

 lead. A passage is opened without diffi- 

 culty. The Wasps go in. I do not interfere 

 with them. When all the loiterers have re- 

 entered the nest, I close the breach with some 

 earth. The narrow opening, if seen from 

 within, might help the Wasps to escape; and 

 I wish to leave the prisoners the honour of 

 inventing the liberating tunnel. 



However poor the Wasp may be in judi- 

 cious inspirations, escape has now become 

 probable. Benefiting by their recent experi- 

 ence, the loiterers who have just entered will, 

 I thought, set the others an example; they 

 will teach them the tactics of digging at the 

 base of the rampart. 



I judged my diggers too hastily. ' Of ex- 

 ample set and taken, of learning by ex- 

 perience, there is not a sign. Inside the bell- 

 glass not an attempt is made to employ the 

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