NATURAL HISTORY. ict 
fom. The materials with which they build their nefts are bits of 
wood and glue. The wood they get where they can from the rails 
and pofts which they meet with in the fields and elfewhere. ‘Thefe 
they faw and divide into a multitude of fmall fibres, of which they take 
Up little bundles in their claws, letting fall upon them a few drops of . 
Bluey matter with which their bodies are provided, by the help of 
which they knead the whole compofition into a pafte, which ferves 
them in their future building. When they have returned with this to 
their neft, they ftick their load of pafte on that part where they make | 
their walls and partitions; they tread it clofe with their feet, and 
trowel it with their trunks, {till going backwards as they work. Having 
repeated this operation three or four times, the compofition is at length | 
atted out until it becomes a fmall leaf of a grey colour, much finer 
than paper, and of a pretty firm texture. This done the fame wafp 
Yeturns to the field to colle& a fecond load of pafte, repeating the fame 
feveral times, placing layer upon layer, and ftrengthening every parti- 
ton in proportion to the wants or convenience of the general fabric. 
Other working wafps come quickly after to repeat the fame operation 
‘aying more leaves upon the former, till at length, after much toil, they 
Nave finifhed the large roof which is to fecure them from the tumbling 
In of the earth. This dome being finifhed, they make another entrance 
to their habitation, defigned either for letting in the warmth of the fun, 
‘Or for efcaping in cafe one door be invaded by plunderers.. Certain 
Owever it is, that by one of thefe they always enter, by the other they 
fally forth to their toil ; each hole being fo fimall that they can pafs but 
®ne at atime. The walls being thus compofed, and the whole fome« 
What of the fhape of a pear, they labour at their cells, which they com- 
Pofe of the fame paper like fubftance that goes to the formation of the 
Sutfide works. Their combs differ from thofe of bees, not lefs in the 
Compofition than the pofition which they are always feen to obtain. 
he honey comb of the bees is edgeways with refpect to the hive ; that 
f the wafp is flat, and the mouth of every cell opens downward. 
Thus is their habitation, contrived Rory above ftory, {upported by fe 
Veral rows of pillars which give firmnefs to the whole building, while 
the upper ftory is flat-roofed, and as fmooth as the pavement of a room, 
aid with fquares of marble. The wafps can freely walk upon thefe ito- 
“les berween the pillars to do whatever their wants require, The pil+ 
’vS are very hard and compact, being larger at each end than in the 
Middle, not much unlike the columns of a building All the cells of 
the nelt are only deftined for the reception of the young, being replete 
With neither wax nor honey. ' 
1. Each cell is like that of the bee, hexagonal; but they are of two 
“rts, the one larger for the production of the male and female wafps, 
the other lefs for the reception of the working part of the community. 
When the females are impregnated by the males, they lay their eggs, 
One in each cell, and {tick it in with a kind of gummy matter to prevent 
“ts falling oat. From this egg proceeds the infect in its worm-ftate, of 
"hich the old ones are extremely careful, feeding it from time to time 
Silit becomes large, and entirely fills up its cell, But the walp com- 
‘unity differs from that of the bee in this; that among the latter the 
_otking bees take the parental duties‘upon them, whereas among the. 
alps the females.alone are permitted to feed their young, and to nurfe 
ae ees theis 
