Enemies of the Bee . 
415 
much I can say of my own knowledge, that on a time finding a wasps 
nest, and killing them every one by pouring hot scalding liquor into 
their holes, because I would bolt out the truth, I plainly perceived by 
long viewing of their bodies, that there was not one of them all but 
had a sting, either thrust out evidently, or closely and secretly kept 
and covered.” 
Shakspeare Las several references to the irritable 
temper of this insect. Brutus refuses to crouch under the 
testy humour of Cassius , and declares :— 
“ I’ll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, 
When you are waspish.” 
(Julius Caesar, iv. 3, 48.) 
Wasps as well as bees like honey, and as they do not 
collect it for themselves, they are under the painful 
necessity of robbing their more industrious connexions, 
and frequently commit “ flat burglary ” in order to obtain 
this delicacy. Julia, having torn to shreds her lover’s 
letter, thus chides herself for her o’erhasty action:— 
“ 0 hateful hands, to tear such loving words ! 
Injurious wasps, to feed on such sweet honey 
And kill the bees that yield it, with your stings ! 
I’ll kiss each several paper for amends.” 
(Two Gentlemen of Verona, i. 2,105.) 
Shakspeare has no mention of the Hornet, another 
marauder on the treasure-house of the poor 
bees. Of this formidable intruder, Day writes: 
“ There’s the strange hornet, who doth ever weare 
A scalie armor and a double speare 
Coucht in his front: rifles the merchants packs 
Upon the Rhode; your honey and your waxe 
He doth by stealth transport to some strange shoare. 
Makes rich their hives and keeps your own groves poor.” 
(.Parliament of Bees.') 
There was a notion, derived from antiquity, that bees 
were bred from the carcase of a bull, and wasps and 
hornets from that of a horse. For much etymological 
