Riunencs arcuattis. 



Chldrion lobatum. 



I'espu. ducalis. 



The common Wasp makes its nest within the ground, sometimes taking advantage of the 

 deserted hole of a rat or mouse, and sometimes working for itself. The substance of 

 which the nest is made is a paper-like material, obtained by nibbling woody fibres from 

 decayed trees or bark, and kneading it to a paste between the jaws. The general shape of 

 the nest is globular, and the walls are of considerable thickness, in order to guard the cells 

 from falling earth, a circular aperture being left, through which the inhabitants can enter 

 or leave their home. 



The cells are hexagonal and laid tier above tier, each story being supported by little 

 pillars, made of the same substance as the cells, and all the open ends being downwards, 

 instead of laid horizontally, as is the case with the bees. It will thus be seen that, on 

 account of this arrangement, the nurse-wasps are enabled to get at the grubs as they lie, 

 or rather hang, in their cells, with their heads downwards. 



The grubs are fat, white, black-headed creatures, very well known to fishermen, who 

 find them excellent bait after they have been baked, so as to render them sufficiently hard 

 to remain on the hook. When they are about to enter the pupal state, they close the 

 mouths of their cells with a silken cover, through which the black eyes are plainly visible, 

 and there wait until they emerge in the perfect state. The grubs are fed with other 

 insects, fruit, sugar, meat, or honey, the mingled mass being disgorged from the stomachs of 

 the nurses and thus given to their charge. 



There are separate cells for males, females, and neuters, the two former claisses only 

 being produced towards the end of autumn, so as to keep up a supply for the 

 succeeding year. 



A very fine species of Wasp is shown in the engraving. This is a native of China, 

 and another magnificent species may be seen at the upper part of the engraving 

 on page 463. 



Many species of Wasp inhabit England, the HOKNET ( Vespa Grabro) being the largest, 

 ind, indeed, being nearly equal in dimensions to any tropical species. This formidable 

 insect makes a nest very similar to that of the wasp, but the cells are necessarily much 

 arger. The nest is generally placed in hollow trees, but I have known a colony of these 



