50 MR. J. B. BRiDGMAi^ ON A NEST OF TlIE COMMON M'ASP. 
0 
tM'o very powerful agents of decomposition, and hence the present 
state of affairs. 
The change which has already taken place between the nature of 
the water as first examined, and after a lapse of six months, shoAVs 
that the peculiar constituents are diminishing, although I do not 
suppose the Avater has been much used. The probability is, Iioav- 
ever, that the peculiarities aaTU go on diminishing Avhether the 
Avater is draAvn aAvay or not ; but Avhethor it aaTII ever be a Avell 
adapted for domestic use, time alone can shoAV. 
VI. 
NOTES ON A NEST OF THE COMMON WASP 
f VESPA VULGAEIS). 
Bv J. H. Bridgman, F.L.S. 
Read 2Sth February, 18S5. 
]\Ir. Gurney Buxton kindly gave me a large nest of Vespa vulgaris, 
one of our commonest British Wasps, AAdiich he took at Catton. 
On removing the scaly covering, I found betAveen this and the 
loAVcr layer of cells, AA'hat I should imagine Avas the Avhole 
colony of Avorkers Avith a feAV males.. These A\’ere huddled 
together in large masses in every available space betAveen the scales, 
and not a fcAV Avere head doAvnAvards in the loAver cells. They 
had evidently been killed by the cold. Many had their stings 
projecting. They had been dead but very fcAv days, as the bulk of 
them Avere far from dry. There being no mould is a proof they Avere 
not limp from damp. They Avere so fresh, that I pinned some of 
the males for my collection. Amongst all this number there Avas 
not one of the fully developed females, commonly called (jueens. 
Instinct had prompted these to seek some Avarmer hybcrnaculum in 
Avhich to pass the Avinter, before the cold set in sullicient to kill 
the other tAVO sexes. It seems strange that instinct should direct 
