The Humuiimy Bird. Ki 



the destruction of these insects, when perhaps quite the 

 reverse, is what ought to have been don(^ Supposing for one 

 instant that mv opinion about the utility of these insects 

 could be satisfactorily proved, it is easy to see of what 

 importance it is to the whole world at large, especially so, 

 if we take into account the immense number of wasps which 

 have been destroyed this year, by order, or by supposed 

 friendlv advices. 



It is quite true that several fatal casualties, occasioned by 

 these insects, have been made known by different newspapers; 

 but these are only accidents, similar to many others, to which we 

 are dally exposed, during the course of our life ; and we may 

 sav that imprudences were perhaps made by the victims. 



Unless man is attacked by a. multitude of these insects, 

 in trying to destroy their nests, the sting of a single wasp is 

 not a pleasant sensation, but is not dangerous. With a few 

 drops of pure ammonia, immediately applied on the wound, 

 the irritation disappears very quickly ; and in all my rambles 

 • over the world, I have nev^er heard of wasps attacking man, 

 without provocation of his part, neither seen one of these 

 Insects stinging anyone of its own accord. 



During a stay of several weeks made this year in the Isle 

 of Wight, I have been greatly annoyed with them, when 

 walking, bathing, and even at meal times. When bathing, 

 thev came along and wanted to rest on me (for w^hat purpose 

 I don't know) ; when walking about and in perspiration, they 

 seemed as if they w^anted to suck me ; when eating fruits or 

 sugared cakes, they swarmed round and even dared to stand 

 on the cake or fruit which I had in my hand, and devoured 

 part of it ; and, lastly, when taking my breakfast or dinner, 

 they ransacked what was on the table, chiefly butter and sugar. 



On the 24th of August, when at breakfast, I witnessed 

 \vhat I consider a very interesting fact, on the voracious habits 

 of wasps : that of a wasp hunting a common house fly, which 

 was partly stuck in the butter. A wasp which assisted to 

 nearly all my meals — now flying about in all directions, now 

 partaking of the sugar, then of the bread, etc. — perceiving the 

 fly half stuck in the butter, pounced upon, seized it, and carried 

 it on the glass of the French window. In less than two 

 minutes it had cut off the two wings of the poor fly, and swal- 

 lowed it all. If I had not seen it, I could not have believed it. 



I shall conclude my Notes on Wasps with the reprint of 

 two principal notices on Wasps, taken from the '^ Petit 

 Journal " de Paris, and '' Pearson's Weekly" of London. 



