TWO MOTHER MASONS 97 



strength of their owners. In fact there seems to be 

 a distinct use for this extreme emaciation of the waist, 

 for the abdomen is attached to it more or less like a 

 knob; and if one of these wasps is carefully watched when 

 flying, it is evident that the abdomen and long legs are 

 carried in a manner to secure poise, and perhaps are also 

 used in steering the insect in its strong, direct flight. 



The first of these feminine masons for our consid- 

 eration is Pelopceus cementarius, the " Cement Maker," 

 popularly known as the " Mud j^ 

 Dauber." She is a graceful 

 insect, with a shining black 

 body and black wings that 

 give ofE rainbow glints in the 

 sunshine (Fig. 33). She is a .. , «^ , v, - ,> 



^ ° ' Fig. .33. "A fidgety being." 



most nervous and fidgety 



being, and keeps her wings jerking when she is walk- 

 ing around, as if she had the St. Vitus' dance. Mayhap 

 her nervousness comes from the burden of family cares ; 

 they all fall upon her, as her spouse is a short-lived, in- 

 dolent fellow, who never dreams of lending her a helping 

 mandible in the construction of the home. 



It is safe to assert that in the insect world the ques- 

 tion of " woman's rights " is settled permanently in the 

 affirmative. With few exceptions the insect husband 

 and father is a care-free, irresponsible individual, who 



