AN INSECT CARPENTER 285 
they begin to spin fine threads of silk, winding 
themselves each in a little silken mummy case, 
which they stick fast to the walls of their cell. 
Now they can sleep securely, and while they are 
thus occupied Nature takes a hand and trans¬ 
forms them into full-grown hornets. They wake 
eager to try their strong jaws, and begin at once 
eating their way out through their silken wrap¬ 
pings. In no time almost they have joined the 
working forces, willing to do all in their power 
to further the strength of the colony. 
“ Uncle John is so enthusiastic regarding the 
industry and fidelity of the hornet tribes gener¬ 
ally, that I mean to keep an eye on my carpenter 
clan. Perhaps I can induce some of them to 
neighbor with us next year. Uncle John main¬ 
tains that, because of their many admirable quali¬ 
ties and the good work they do in destroying 
flies, it is unfortunate that man has recorded 
them in his black books. However that may be, 
I figure a large part of the fault lies with the 
hornets. They are so pesky suspicious! If I 
don’t get stung for my pains, I’ll be surprised.” 
“ You mean,” Max retorted sagely, “ you will 
have pains a-plenty, if you do get stung. You 
would better go slow. Grandfather says he has 
known a half dozen of their poisonous stings to 
put a man in the hospital.” 
