OF NATURAL HISTORY. 35.^ 



in general, the cells of the wafps are formed of a kind 

 of paper, which with great dexterity, is fabricated by the ani- 

 mals themfelves. The number of combs and cells in a wafp's 

 nefl is always proportioned to the number of individuals aflb- 

 elated. DiiFerent fpecies choofe different fituations for build- 

 ing their nefts. Some expofe their habitations to all the in- 

 juries of the air ; others prefer the trunks of decayed trees 5 

 and others, as the common kind, of which we are principal- 

 ly treating, conceal their nefts under ground. The hole 

 which leads to a wafp's neft is about an inch in diameter. 

 This hole is a kind of gallery mined by the wafps, is feldom 

 in a ftraight line, and varies in length from half a foot to two 

 feet, according to the diftance of the nefb from the furface 

 of the ground. When expofed to view, the whole neft ap- 

 pears to be of a roundifh form, and fometimes about twelve 

 or fourteen inches in diameter. It is ftrongly fortified all 

 round with walls or layers of paper, the furface of which is 

 rough and irregular. In thefe walls, or rather in this exter- 

 nal covering, two holes are left for paftages to the combs. 

 The wafps uniformly enter the neft by one hole, and go out 

 by the other, which prevents any confufion or interrup- 

 tion to their common labours. 



We are now arrived at the gates of this fubterraneous ci- 

 ty, which, though fmall, is extremely populous. Upon re- 

 moving the external covering, we perceive that the whole in- 

 terior part conlifts of feveral ftoreys or floors of combs, 

 •which are parallel to each other, and nearly in a horizontal 

 pofition. Every ftorey is compofed of a numerous aflem- 

 blage of hexagonal cells;, very regularly conftru61:ed with a 

 matter refembling afti-coloured paper. Thefe cells contain 

 neither wax nor honey, but are folely deftined for containing 

 the eggs, the worms which are hatched from them, the 

 nymphs, and the young wafps till they are able to fly. 

 Wafps nefts ar^ not always compofed of an equal number of 



