Nature and Habits of the common Wasp. 623 



in two opposite layers of cells, like the bees', but in one only, 

 consequently the top of the combs is composed of the bases of 

 the cells, and forms nearly a level floor, on which the insects can 

 pass and repass. Spaces about half an inch high are left between 

 each comb, supported by many little pillars formed of the same 

 kind of materials as the combs, except more glue in their 

 composition, perhaps saliva from the insects. There is a space 

 also between the combs and the outside shell ; in short, except 

 a few of the upper ones, they are not attached to it at all ; con- 

 sequently have no support from it, but from the pillars fixed at 

 the top of the cavity. The lower end of the first formed, or 

 principal, one forms the basis of the first cells ; in truth it is the 

 beginning of the nest. The same may be said of each succeed- 

 ing division of combs. The nest, at first, is about the size of 

 half a pigeon's egg, containing about three cells, enlarged during 

 the season by coatings on the outside, the inner ones being 

 wrought up with them, or, more properly, into cells ; a few, 

 however, are always left, as a sure defence against the weather. 

 A nest before me measures 2 J feet round, having nine divisions 

 of combs, varying in size according to the shape of the cone, or 

 nest; the entrance is in the side, as it usually is in the ground 

 wasp's nest; but not so with the one that builds on a branch, 

 there it is always below. 



Sometimes there are two entrances to a wasp's nest, from one 

 of which it is said the inmates uniformly issue, and enter the 

 nest through the other. I have no experience of this, indeed I 

 doubt it. I ought to mention, if the cavity admits of excavation, 

 there is space between it and the nest. By these ingenious con- 

 trivances the insects have free access, both within and without, 

 to their "paper metropolis." There are exceptions from their 

 general rules of structure, especially when the space chosen 

 will not admit of excavation by the wasps, who are expert miners. 

 They seldom quit the nest without a load in their mandibles. 

 It is astonishing what excavations they sometimes make, enough 

 to hold a common beehive. 



Some assert, I think Reaumur does, that wasps, like bees, 

 have three different-sized cells ; this, however, is wrong. The 

 queens and drones are reared in the same comb and in the same- 

 sized cells ; the only difference is in the cocoon of the queens 

 being raised a little higher than that of the drones, caused by the 

 grubs being longer. Both come forth about the latter part of 

 August, and are numerous, especially the latter, which, like the 

 workers, vary in size, have an additional segment in their abdo- 

 men, have no sting, and are easily known by their long dark 

 feelers. Unlike the drones in a beehive, they search for food ; 

 having no proboscis they cannot suck from cup or tube flowers; 

 may be seen on the snow-berry and fennel blossoms, but rarely 

 in a rotten plum. I never discovered the young queens abroad 



