INSECTS. 



333 



making their nests underground, some on the surface, 

 and others being borers. They are all social, construct- 

 ing nests, gathering wax and honey, raising the larvae 

 in common, and carrying on in a less perfect manner 

 than the honey-bees the industrious work for which 

 this whole order is celebrated. 



FIG. 294. 



METAMORPHOSES OF DRAGON-FLY (Aeschna grandis).a, larva; b, pupa; c, 

 perfect insect issuing from pupa case ; d, perfect insect, with wings fully 

 developed. 



Wasps form societies sometimes not less numerous 

 than those of the bees. They also manifest great in- 

 dustry in constructing their nests, which certain species 

 make underground, while others prefer hollow trees or 

 the branches of bushes. The nests are made of a sub- 

 stance very analogous to paper, that the insects prepare 

 from particles of old wood moistened with their saliva ; 



