352 THE PHILOSOPHY 



between two combs there is always a fpecies of ruftic colonade. 

 The wafps begin at the top and build tlownward. The uppermoft 

 and fmalleft comb is firfl: conftruded. It is attached to the fuperior 

 part of the external covering. The fecond comb is fixed to the bot- 

 tom of the firft ; and in this manner the animals proceed till the 

 whole operation is completed. The connedting pillars are compofed 

 of the fame kind of paper as the reft of the neft. To allow the 

 wafps entries into the void fpaces, roads are left between the combs 

 and the external envelope or covering. 



Having given a general idea of this curious edifice, it is next na- 

 tural to inquire how the wafps build, and how they employ them- 

 felves in their abodes. But, as all thefe myfteries are performed 

 under the earth, it required much induftry and attention to difcover 

 them. By the ingenuity and perfeverance of M, de Reaumur, how- 

 ever, we are enabled to explain fome parts of their internal oecono- 

 my and manners. This indefatigable naturalift contrived to make 

 wafps, like the honey-bees, lodge and work in glafs-hlves. In this 

 operation he was greatly allifted by the ardent affedion which thefe 

 animals have to their offspring ; for he found, thar, though the 

 neft was cut in different diredions, and though it was expofed to 

 the light, the wafps never deferted it, nor relaxed in their attention 

 to their young. When placed in a glafs-hive, they are perfedly 

 peaceable, and never attack the obferver, if he calmly contemplates 

 their operations ; for, naturally, they do not fting, unlefs they are 

 irritated. 



Immediately after a wafp's neft has been tranfported from its na- 

 tural fituation, and covered with a glafs-hive, the firft operation of 

 the infeds is to repair the injuries it has fuffered. With wonderful 

 adivity they carry off all the earth and foreign bodies that may have 

 accidentally been conveyed into the hive. Some of them occupy 



2 themfelves 



