. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. SOCIAL WASPS. HIVE BEES. 533 examples of this kind of social instinct; and the structures which are produced by the united labours of a large number, working together in harmony, are extremely interesting. The nests of Wasps are constructed in this manner. In order to form the materials for building them, these Insects detach with their mandibles the fibres of old wood, which they convert by masti- cation into a sort of pulp, that hardens into the consistence of pasteboard; of this substance they construct several ranges of
. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. SOCIAL WASPS. HIVE BEES. 533 examples of this kind of social instinct; and the structures which are produced by the united labours of a large number, working together in harmony, are extremely interesting. The nests of Wasps are constructed in this manner. In order to form the materials for building them, these Insects detach with their mandibles the fibres of old wood, which they convert by masti- cation into a sort of pulp, that hardens into the consistence of pasteboard; of this substance they construct several ranges of hexagonal cells; and the combs thus formed are arranged parallel to each other at a regular distance, and are united at intervals by little columns which serve to suspend them (Fig. 267). The whole is either hung in the air, lodged in the hollow of a tree, or buried in the ground; and it is sometimes enclosed in a general enve- lope, sometimes left uncovered, according to the species. 712. The same community of labour is observed in the ordi- nary Hive-Bees, which present to the intelligent observer a source of interesting occupation that scarcely ever fails. The number and variety of instincts, each of them most perfectly adapted to the end in view, which these Insects exhibit, is most wonderful; and many volumes have been written upon them, without by any means exhausting the subject. Nothing more than a very general sketch of these can be attempted in the present Treatise, for the reason already mentioned; but the illustrations they afford of the general remarks heretofore made upon the nature of Instinct, are too valuable to be passed by. Each Hive contains but a single Queen ; and she is the only individual capable of laying eggs. There are usually from 6 to 800 males or Drones ; and from 10,000 to 30,000 Neuters or Working-bees. In their Fig. 268.—working-Bee. natural condition, they live in the hollows of trees; but they appear equally ready to avail themselves of the
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