284 
NATURE’S CRAFTSMEN 
her first brood; afterwards matters go forward 
just as in a bee colony. And how hungry the baby 
hornets are! However, they are easily appeased: 
for they will eat anything and everything,— 
sweets, fruit, vegetables, and meat. Apropos of 
the last article, hornets are tireless in their pur¬ 
suit of the common house fly, being one of his 
most inveterate enemies. They are fond of 
countless other insects, too. Indeed, so keen are 
they for a meat relish, that they are often called 
the insects of prey, just as the lion and tiger are 
called beasts of prey, and the hawk and the eagle 
birds of prey. 
“ To return to the little hornet grub: As it 
grows stronger, it wriggles and tumbles about, 
as babies will, and sometimes one forgets its tail- 
hold and tumbles out on the ground. Like 
Humpty-dumpty, all the king’s horses and all 
the king’s men cannot make it whole again! It 
is a job for the undertakers of the tribe, and it is 
quickly interred in the sawdust left at the junk 
pile. Barring accidents, however, the youngsters 
thrive lustily, and presently arrive at the happy 
state of the boy at the picnic, they can chew but 
they can no longer swallow, and so they turn their 
heads and refuse further offers of food. 
“ Shortly, then, they begin to grow sleepy and 
indolent. However, they must make themselves 
safe before they dare to shut an eye, and perforce 
