5-34 



THE PHILOSOPHY 



The conftruding of the neft occupies a comparatively fmall num- 

 ber of labourers. The others are differently employed. Here it is 

 neceffary to remark, that the republics of wafps, like thofe of the 

 honey-bees, confift of three kinds of flies, males, females, and neu- 

 ters. Like the bees, alfo, the number of neuters far furpafles thofe 

 of both males and females. The greateft quantity of labour is de- 

 volved upon the neuters ; but they are not, like the neuter bees, the 

 only workers ; for there is no part of their different operations 

 which tlie females, at certain times, do not execute. Neither do the 

 males, though their induftry is not comparable to that of the neu- 

 ters, remain entirely idle. They often occupy themfelves in the in- 

 terior part of the neft. The greateft part of the labour, however^ 

 is performed by the neuters. They build the neft, feed the males, 

 the females, and even the young. But, while the neuters are em- 

 ployed in thefe different operations, the others are abroad in hunt- 

 ing parties. Some attack with intrepidity live infe£ts, which they 

 fometimes carry entire to the neft ; but they generally tranfport the 

 abdomen or belly only. Others pillage butchers ftalls, from which 

 they often arrive with* a piece of meat larger than the half of their 

 own bodies. Others refort to gardens, and fuck the juices of fruits. 

 When they return to the neft, they diftribute a part of their plun- 

 der to the females, to the males, and even to fuch neuters as have 

 been ufefuUy occupied at home. As foon as a neuter enters the neftj 

 it is furrounded by feveral wafps, to each of whom it freely givesa 

 portion of the food it has brought, Thofe who have not been hunt- 

 ing for prey, but have been fucking the juices of fruits, though they 

 feem to return empty, fail not to regale their companions; for, after 

 their arrival, they ftation themfelves upon the upper part of the nefl:, 

 and difcharge from their mouths two or three drops of a clear li- 

 quid,, which are immediately fwaliowed by the doraeftics.. 



The 



