HYMENOPTERA. 371 
than ordinary flies. A great number of other bees are known, 
but their habits are little understood, and we shall not occupy our- 
selves about them. 
W ASPs. 
Every one knows the wasps as a race of dangerous brigands 
which live by rapine, are incessantly fighting battles, and which 


" y : \ 
Fig. 344.—Wasps’ Nest. 
SD 
exist only todo harm. However, wasps, like Figaro, are better 
than they are reputed to be. Their societies are admirably 
organized; their nests are models of industry and artistic fancy. 
They have even certain domestic virtues which deserve our 
esteem, only they are an excitable race it 1s well not to cross. 
If great heat adds to their natural irritability, they savagely 
attack those who annoy them, and pursue them to a distance. 
No one, indeed, is ignorant that their sting is very painful. In 
BBO 

