224 COUKAGE OF WASPS. 



worse description, because they rob their brethren. It is not 

 unfrequent, we are told, for the inhabitants of a distressed hive 

 to turn marauders, under the name of Corsair-bees. These 

 not only attack, in a body, more prosperous communities, but 

 like highway robbers, will lie in wait by parties of three and 

 four, for any unfortunate single Bee returning alone and laden 

 to its hive. " One seizes it by a leg, another by a wing, or 

 perhaps there are two on each side confining or pulling its 

 limbs, while they maul and pummel its chest, and bite its 

 head. This maltreatment obliges it to disgorge its honey, 

 which the robbers eagerly lap till they are satisfied, and then 

 let their prisoner go."* 



The Wasps are above such mean and cowardly proceed- 

 ings : we never heard, at least, of their turning, under any 

 extremity, robbers of their kind ; and therefore, socially con- 

 sidered, they are no robbers at all. Then for courage, a wasp 

 is scarcely to be equalled. A single one will venture, it is 

 said, to face a whole hive of Bees after a booty of honey, and 

 is, in fair combat, a match for any three inhabitants of the 

 apiary. The same character of boldness accompanies, and, in 

 our opinion, helps to redeem the depredations of the Wasp as 

 exercised upon ourselves. Full of spirit as she is, she is as 

 difficult to get rid of as an unwelcome guest who has no spirit 

 at all. We may crush her, nay, cut her, and still cut in 

 vain. She will even partake our meal, and complete her 



* Kirby and Spence. 



