A WALK THROUGH AN ENGLISH LANE. 91 



almost as many as it retains. When it has obtained a 

 sufficient load, it begins to champ and gnaw the fibres 

 very diligently, moistening them at the same time with 

 a drop of fluid, and being evidently absorbed in its work. 

 Off it flies to its nest : but as we cannot see it there, we 

 must take up a bit of wasp comb and discover how it 

 builds up the cells. 



On examination, we find that the walls of each cell 

 are composed of this woody pulp, laid in regular strata, 

 which are easily perceptible by the aid of a pocket 

 magnifier. The walls are very flimsy, and cannot hold 

 liquid ; but as the English wasps make no honey, and 

 store no food, this is of no consequence. The combs are 

 arranged in regular layers, one above the other, each layer 

 having all the open ends of the cells downward, and the 

 closed ends forming a floor on which the insects can 

 walk while traversing the space between the combs for 

 the purpose of feeding the young grubs. Each layer ia 

 supported by a number of little pillars, about a third of 

 an inch in length, made of the same papier mache sub- 

 stance as the cells, very much more solid and compact ; 

 and here and there a pillar is made very thick where 

 the comb requires to be strengthened. On examination 

 most of the cells will be found to be inhabited by white 

 grubs, in every stage of growth. Many of the cells will 

 be covered with white silken convex roofs, through 

 which the black eyes of the future wasps often appear. 

 The cells are not quite parallel with each other, but 

 radiate slightly from the centre of each comb towards 



