COMMON WASP. 
395 
vaults, all of the same structure, and raised with the 
nicest symmetry and correctness of design. It is the 
obscurity alone that disfigures the work. I did not 
so much as see the remains of any lanthern, or 
other contrivance, to illuminate the city.” 
It will he hardly necessary to observe, that under 
the figure of a city, the Abbe has been giving the 
general description of a wasp’s nest. This is indeed 
a most ingenious structure, and highly deserving 
the particular account which we shall now proceed 
to give of its formation. 
About midsummer these little architects seek 
for a subterranean cavity that has been begun by 
field-mice, moles, or rats ; or else they dig one for 
themselves, generally on the side of a bank or any 
rising ground, that the water may flow down below 
their place of residence, which would otherwise 
greatly annoy them. When they have chosen a 
proper situation, they begin to work with amazing 
industry, and their first care is to enlarge and widen 
the cavity ; which they do by scooping out the earth 
and carrying it away to a distance. This appears 
an astonishing labour for insects to undertake, yet 
they are perfectly formed for the purpose, being 
provided with excellent tools ; viz. a trunk extend- 
ing from their mouths, two saws on each side, 
which play to the right and left against each other, 
and six strong muscular legs to support them. Their 
activity must be very great, since in the space of a 
few days they build under ground a habitation 
above a foot high, and as much in breadth. Whilst 
