The Wasp 
117 
in the care of the young, and if the larva 
or pupa be taken from a nest and placed 
where adult wasps can approach them, 
it is quite pathetic to watch the interest 
evinced, which will sometimes find its 
climax in the young and immature insects 
being carried off. If wasps were of any 
use in the gathering of honey, there is but 
little doubt they could as easily be handled 
and subdued as are ordinary bees. I have 
in my possession a wasps’ nest covered 
with glass, with the whole work of the 
community proceeding as if they were 
bees in an ordinary hive. Some years 
ago, I procured a small wasps’ nest 
and placed it in my green-house. I had 
the misfortune to lose the queen, but as the 
young wasps hatched out, the damaged 
portions of the nest were repaired and I was 
enabled to watch their wonderful methods. 
I never knew during the whole time of a 
single person being stung by the insects as 
they went in and out of the nest, which I 
placed in a wooden box. I fed them 
regularly from my hand and was able to 
discover of which fruits and sweets they 
were most fond. Undoubtedly honey was 
