THE HORNET. 457 



We now come to an insect which is as well known by name as 

 the bee, though not so familiar to our eyes. This is the common 

 Hornet {Vespa crabro), which is tolerably plentiful in many parts 

 of England, but seems to be almost absent from others. 



The nest of the Hornet is much like that of the wasp, except 

 that it is proportionately larger, and is almost invariably built in 

 hollow trees, deserted outhouses, and places of a similar descrip- 

 tion. Whenever the Hornet takes up its residence in an inhabit- 

 ed house, as is sometimes the case, the inmates are sure to be in 

 arms against the insect, and with good reason. The Hornet is 

 much larger than the wasp, and its sting is proportionately ven- 

 omous. It is popularly said that three Hornets can kill a man ; 

 and although in such a case the sufferer must previously have 

 been in bad health, the poisonous properties of the Hornet are 

 sufficiently virulent to render such a saying popular. 



Moreover, the Hornet is an irascible insect, and given to assault 

 those whom it fancies are approaching its nest with evil inten- 

 tions. It is not pleasant to be chased by wasps, but to be chased 

 by Hornets is still less agreeable, as I can personally testify. 

 They are so persevering in their attacks that they will follow a 

 man for a wonderfully long distance, and if they be struck away 

 over and over again, they will return to the charge as soon as 

 they recover from the shock. There is a deep ominous menace 

 in their hum, which speaks volumes to those who have some ac- 

 quaintance with the language of insects ; and no one who has 

 once been chased by these insects will willingly run the same 

 risk again. 



Mr. S. Stone, whose interesting letter upon the wasp has al- 

 ready been mentioned, tells me that he has been successful in 

 breeding Hornets as well as wasps, and forcing them to build 

 nests much more beautiful than they would have made if they 

 had been at liberty. 



One nest, when of moderate size, was removed from the head 

 of a tree, and placed in a large glazed box similar to those which 

 have been mentioned in connection with the wasp. Within the 

 box the Hornets continued their labors, and a most beautiful nest 

 was produced, symmetrical in shape, and variegated with wonder- 

 fully rich colors. "Such a nest as that," writes Mr. Stone, "is 

 not produced by Hornets in a general way. They do not trouble 

 themselves to form much of a covering, especially when a small 

 cavitv in the head of a tree is selected, which is often the case. 



