Chap. 26.] 
THE SILK-WOIIM. 
25 
the other hornets, which seem not to be so noxious, there are two 
kinds ; the working ones, which are smaller in size and die in 
the winter ; and the parent hornets, which live two years ; 
these last, indeed, are quite harmless.'''^ In spring they build 
their nests, which have generally four entrances, and here it is 
that the working hornets are produced : after these have been 
hatched they form other nests of larger size, in which to bring 
forth the parents of the future generation. From this time 
the working hornets begin to follow their vocation, and apply 
themselves to supplying the others with food. The parent 
hornets are of larger size than the others, and it is very doubt- 
ful whether they have a sting, as it is never to be seen 
protruded. These races, too, have their drones. Some persons 
are of opinion that all these insects lose their stings in the 
winter. I^either hornets nor wasps have a king, nor do they 
ever congregate in swarms ; but their numbers are recruited by 
fresh offspring from time to time. 
CHAP. 25. (22.) THE BOMBTX OF ASSYEIA. 
A fourth class of this kind^^ of insect is the bombyx,^^ which 
is a native of Assyria, and is of larger size than any of those 
which have been previously mentioned. They construct their 
nests of a kind of mud which has the appearance of salt, and 
then fasten them to a stone, where they become so hard, that 
it is scarcely possible to penetrate them with a dart even. 
In these nests they make wax, in larger quantities than bees, 
and the grub which they then produce is larger. 
CHAP. 26. — THELARViE OE THE SILK-WOEM WHO FIEST INVENTED 
SILK CLOTHS. 
There is another class also of these insects produced in quite 
a different manner. These last spring from a grub of larger 
size, with two horns of very peculiar appearance. The 
larva then becomes a caterpillar, after which it assumes the 
state in which it is known as hombylisy then that called necy- 
dalusy and after that, in six months, it becomes a silk- worm.*' 
Cuvier says that it is the males, and not the females, that have no sting. 
What modern naturalists call the " Hymenoptera." 
Some kind of wasp, or, as Cuvier says, probably the mason bee. 
^ Called "bombyx" also; though, as Cuvier remarks, of a kind al- 
together different from the preceding one. 
