THE GOLD-BANDED PAPER-MAKER 153 



and begin the wonderful transformation, dur- 

 ing which they were changed from helpless 

 white larvae to mature wasps. Probably not 

 more than an hour was required to spin the 

 cocoon. The silk was very filmy and so fine 

 that a single strand could hardly be seen with 

 the naked eye. During the spinning the larvae 

 moved their heads back and forth, round and 

 round, constantly adding to the web. At first 

 it was very thin, and the inmates of the cell 

 could easily be seen at work through the thin 

 network. However, it gradually thickened 

 until they were entirely hidden from view and 

 there was nothing to do but wait until the baby 

 awakened from its sleep and came forth a 

 glorified creature, as compared with the shape- 

 less white body that entered the quiet cocoon. 



Thinking to see something of the wonderful 

 change as it took place, the Naturalist cut a 

 small hole in the top of one cocoon. The day 

 following the cell was found to have been 

 emptied and a new egg placed therein. Ap- 

 parently this change can only take place be- 

 hind closed doors where prying eyes cannot 

 behold the preparation for its resurrection. 



The combs of the honeybee are built per- 

 pendicular with openings on both sides. The 



