
          728.

seemed to have been only recently started.  I looked
at it and noticed some very small wasp-like insects
in it; but later when we both examined it we
found none.  Close to this little nest <s>that I found</s>
was the smooth-barked tree which I now recognized
at once as our Swamp Maple, Acer rubrum.  I went
now to see Mr. W's find.  This nest was 5 or 6 inches
in diameter and was occupied by hundreds of lively insects.

We got close to the nest and examined the insects;
they were, we thought, rather small for hornets, could
they have been a species of Wasp?  Mr. W. threw
small
pieces of wood at the nest to rouse the insects.  It
did not take them long to be roused and find out the
disturber of their peace.  They seemed to know that it was
Mr. W. and flew at once towards him.  He beat them
away but one stung him on the neck.  He thought now
that by smoking them we would drive them out and so
could examine their house.  But our experiment did not 
prove a success.  Mr. W. only got another sting.  Neither of
the stings amounted to much, though, the spots got red and
        