GENERAL SUMMARY. 137 



gunpowder, gunpowder and sulphur damped, and fired so as to 

 suffocate the swarm if in the ground, gas-tar, Stockhohn tar, paraffin, 

 and cyanide of potassium. Obviously any kind of application which 

 will destroy the Wasps without allowing exit of the irritated legions to 

 sting the operator, will serve the purpose, in case this is not accom- 

 panied by danger, as from use of gunpowder in careless hands, or what 

 is a still more serious danger, the risk from use of deadly poison with- 

 out proper precaution. Cyanide of potassium is certainly reported as 

 the most approved remedy, but its deadly nature as a poison requires 

 most careful consideration. The store of it should always be kept 

 under lock and key, and whether used dry or in solution, the packet or 

 bottle should always have a large and legible label POISON, and the 

 application should be always entrusted to known careful hands. 



Very often destroying Wasps' nests is a bit of amusement at odd 

 times to any boys that may be about, and the more smell, and fire, and 

 noise that can be made, the greater the pleasure. But for quiet, safe 

 work that is effective in destroying the nest, I have found sending a 

 man round with a pot of tar, and having a ladle of it poured down the 

 holes, answer very well. If properly applied, no Wasps can get up to 

 sting the applier, and the Wasps within die of starvation. In case, as 

 sometimes happens, there are two roads down to the nest, this matter 

 must be looked to, but I have generally found it answer well. 



No method of taking hanging Wasps' nests has been given in the 

 preceding notes, and the rough practice of burning the nest, and a 

 portion of the hedge with it, is entirely objectionable. I have often 

 taken them with perfect safety myself by simply having strong tan 

 leather gauntlet-topped gloves, with linen tops sewed on to them, down 

 which I could pass my hands, and then had these tops safely tied 

 round over my sleeves between the elbow and wrist. Thus no Wasps 

 could hurt my hands, and my head was defended by a large strong 

 piece of muslin thrown over the top of a broad-brimmed hat, so that it 

 hung well down all round, and the lower edge was securely fastened 

 by pins round the shoulders and across the chest. 



It is necessary to have a broad-brimmed hat to keep the sort of 

 veil well off the face and nose, and for material, I preferred the 

 patterned muslin, or net, or lace, as it is called, of an old window- 

 curtain, for the differences in material, and different thickness, pre- 

 vented the first rush of all the Wasps striking so directly and audibly 

 at my hat. It may be that some people would not mind it, but the 

 first minute of work with hundreds of Wasps endeavouring to sting 

 was always a time of intense nervousness. I would not advise anyone 

 to try the experiment unless they can be thoroughly trustworthily 

 pinned up, or the results may be serious. But for common purposes, 

 the plan often saves a deal of trouble if a nest is wanted out of the 



