216 A WASP IN MARCH. 



tion which now prevails, slowly but surely they will disappear, 

 even as the icy fetters which arrested but a month ago, the 

 gliding surface of this streamlet. See ! how gaily does it now 

 sparkle in the sun, putting on (to be in fashion) a wreath 

 of gladness, and reflecting, in lieu of leafless branches, the 

 glories'of the palm- willow, already rich in the gold and silver 

 of her flowery catkins. This willow's wealth would seem, how- 

 ever, like other riches, to have had its attractions for the 

 spoiler, for here is a host of Insect plunderers finally awakened 

 from their winter torpor, and brought from far by the honeyed 

 perfume which fills the air. Yet truly, these are no plunderers ; 

 they are the labourers of the hive. We ask your pardon, little 

 types and patterns of industry, and are right glad to see you 

 on the wing. Load your thigh-panniers as you please with 

 golden treasure, you are no pilferers, for you take without 

 despoiling, and you rob for us. 



But stay, what have we here? an idler among labourers ! a 

 highwayman among travellers ! a Wasp among Bees I A 

 Wasp in March ! Yes, truly, and a Wasp of Wasps ; a very 

 Robin Hood of plunderers, in comparison with whom the last 

 of his pilfering fraternity, seen in autumn on the last peach, 

 was but a Little John indeed. Let us watch his proceedings. 

 Is he going, a la coutume, to attack the Bees, or, contrary to 

 custom, the flowers only? Neither; for scornfully passing 

 over both, he has alighted on his old post beside the willow, 

 and there he stays; by turns walking, and standing, and 



