37- THE COMMON WASP. 



markable that those of the neuters are never inte?<* 

 mixed with the cells destined for the others. 



This wonderful edifice, that requires the labour of 

 the animals for several months, serves them only for 

 a year ; and notwithstanding its population during 

 the summer, it is almost deserted in winter, and is 

 abandoned entirely in the spring ; tor,, in this last 

 season,, not a single Wasp is to be found in a nest of 

 the preceding year. It is worthy of remark that 

 the first combs of a nest are always accomodated for 

 the reception of the neuter or working Wasps,, 

 whose care and attention- are first required ; so that 

 it uniformly happens that, before the males and 

 females are capable of taking flight, every Wasp's 

 nest is peopled with several thousands of neuters or 

 workers. But the neuters, which are first produced,, 

 are likewise the first that perish ; for not one of 

 them survives the termination even of a mild winter. 



The female Wasps are stronger, and support the 

 rigours of winter better than either the males or 

 neuters. Before the end of winter, however, seve- 

 ral hundred females die, and not above ten or a 

 dozen in each nest survive that season. These few 

 females are destined for the continuation of the 

 species. Each of them becomes the founder of a 

 new republic. With regard to the male Wasps, it 

 is uncertain whether any of them survive. But, 

 though not so indolent as the males of the honev- 

 bee, they can be of but little assistance to the fe- 

 male ; for they never engage in any work of im- 

 portance, such as constructing cells, or fortifying 

 the external cover of the nest. They are never 



