The history of the wasps of temperate America has not been recorded. It appears that entomologists have no great desire to study those interesting insects; and although several species occur in Canada, we know little or nothing of their natural history. One species, the spotted wood wasp (Vespa maculata, Linn.), occurs commonly, as near as I can determine, about every third year, in our northern woods. Havinq partially studied its habits, and collected a series of the nests in all their stages, it is particularly in regard to the latter that I claim attention. But before I proceed to relate what I have ascertained regarding their architecture, it will suffice to state that each large nest which we notice suspended from trees towards the end of summer consisted of a colony of males, females and workers or imperfect females, as they are termed.