BRITISH INSECTS 



ing to watch their struggles to be free. They bit away 

 the sealed-up portion at the top, and then crawled out 

 as liberated prisoners. They soon showed signs of 

 great restlessness, so that I was tempted to open the 

 window and let them fly away. Out of the window they 

 flew, but to my amazement they returned in double- 

 quick time, and commenced to feed the fat white grubs 

 who seemed to anticipate their coming ! As others 

 emerged, so the interesting development proceeded 

 under my own eyes. I opened the window each day 

 and the workers flew to and fro during the day, and 

 returned each night. If, by chance, any had not re- 

 turned at dusk, I found them outside the window next 

 morning waiting to he admitted. Eventually all were 

 reared, and the little colony left the fragment of comb 

 emptied of all its contents as a memento of a thrilling 

 episode of insect-life. Although watched at close 

 quarters, the Wasps were far too occupied to attempt to 

 sting anyone, and a great many visitors to my room 

 witnessed the httle episode described. The grubs are 

 fed on insect-food, but the adults appear to possess a 

 sweet " tooth," and do a good deal of harm in the season 

 to ripe fruit. This species makes its nest underground, 

 hidden away from vulgar gaze. Hence its domestic 

 affairs are little understood, or appreciated. Only the 

 entrance hole can be seen from outside, and if destruc- 

 tion is desired the best method is to use cyanide of 

 potassium, either in soHd state or solution. 



The Wood Wasp {Vespa sylvestris) usually suspends 

 92 



