THE HORNET. S oi 



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 sub- 

 stance 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. 



Eutneaes arcuatus. 



Chlorloa lobatum. 



Vespa ducalls. 



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 classes 

 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 HORNET (Vespa Crabrd) being the 

 largest, and, indeed, being nearly equal in dimensions to any tropical species. This for- 

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

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



