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109

insects. They are of a very voracious disposition, living occasionally on flesh, and are extremely destructive to fruit; but as they do not lay up a store of honey for winter use, but few of them survive that season, and those which do, are in a torpid state.

Vespa crabro, or the Hornet, is a large species of wasp, that makes its nest in the trunks of hollow trees, in timber-yards, or similar sitnalions. Its comb is composed of a substance like coarse paper or rusty parchment. It is very voracious, devouring other insects, and even bees. A highly elegant wasps' nest, not much larger than an egg, has been sometimes seen during the summer, hanging, as it were, by its base, to some convenient projection within, it consists of several bells, one above another, the interior alone being entire, and furnished willi a small, round opening, the rest reaching only about two-thirds from the base of the nest. In the centre of the interior bell, are situated the ranges of cells built round a small pillar attached to the base : they are not very numerous, and the openings of these cells are downwards. As I intend to devote a whole letter to that valuable insect the bee, which next. succeeds in order, 1 shall, ibm the present, bid you adieu, with every wish for your happiness and enjoyment.

FE [1ICIA.


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