ing them water-proof. In fact, the nests some-in a waste and moist spot, it would soon be what resemble shallow basins with very thick picked up as a veritable mushroom. The color sides, and bear an almost startling resemblance is in general a yellowish brown, although octo the cap of a very large and well-shaped mush- casionally some nest boldly departs from the room, the central specimen being so fungus- general uniformity, presenting a reddish surlike in form that, if it were laid on the ground face, or even a white. All the nests are fixed

NEST OF ICARIAS.

in the same manner to a branch or twig passing through the upper surface. When the nest is increased in size the original support is often found to be too slight, and in that case others are added. The cells are arranged in the most systematic manner in rows which follow the exterior outline, and therefore take the shape of a hexagon. How the insect forms these wonderful cell-groups is an enigma to which not the least clew can be found. In proportion to the size of the architect they are simply enormous, and yet the sides and angles are as truc and just as if they were single cells.

Very curious nests arc made by several species of

an insect belonging to the genus Icaria. These | Whenever the Hornet takes up its residence in nests, or rather these series of cells, are an inhabited house, as is sometimes the case, made after a singular fashion. First, the in- the inmates are sure to be in arms against the sect attaches to the branch a foot-stalk com- insect, and with good reason. Its sting is exposed of the same material as that with which ceedingly venomous, and it is popularly said the cells are formed. This foot-stalk, although that three hornets can kill a man. Moreover, slender, is very hard, solid, and tough, and can the Hornet is an irascible insect, and given to uphold a considerable weight, as is necessary assault those whom it fancies are approaching from the manner of constructing the nest. She its nest with evil intentions. Consequently it then makes a cell after the ordinary wasp-fash- is a matter of no slight difficulty to obtain a ion, attaching it to the foot-stalk with its mouth nest, or to watch the process of its construcdownward, and at first making it comparatively tion. In the illustration is shown the exterior short. When the cell has nearly attained its of a partially finished nest, and the manner in due length a second is placed alongside the which the hornets enter at different parts. first, and a third is added in like manner, each Hornets may be forced to build a much more being lengthened as required. As the cells at beautiful nest than they ordinarily construct. the base of the series are finished first it is ev- One nest, when of moderate size, was removed ident that they gradually diminish toward the by a naturalist from the head of a tree, and end, those at the extremity being often not placed in a large glazed box, within which the one quarter so long as those at the base. hornets continued their labors, and a most beautiful nest was produced, symmetrical in shape and variegated with wonderfully rich colors. In order, however, to produce this result it is necessary to select the richest-colored woods, and place them where the insects shall be induced to use them in the construction of their nest.

The common Hive Bee deserves our admiration on account of the wonderful manner in which it constructs its social home, and the method by which that home is regulated. But there is another insect, as well known by name, but with whose habits we are somewhat shy of attempting to become intimately familiar. This is the common Hornet, whose nest is almost in- In the collection of the British Museum may variably built in hollow trees, deserted out- be seen a very remarkable nest, which is made houses, and places of a similar description. | by some species of wasp at present unknown,

As

remarkable nest seems to have set every rule
at defiance, and to have shown an entire con-
tempt of foes and indifference to rain.
may be seen by reference to the illustration,
the entrance is extremely long, though not
wide, and extends through nearly the length
of the nest, so that the edges of the combs can

edges of the entrance are rounded, so that the outer edge is wider than the inner; but it is still sufficiently wide to allow the little finger of a man's hand to be passed into the interior; while its length is so great that forty or fifty insects might enter or leave the nest together.

but which may appropriately be called the Mud Wasp. It was found in a Guianan forest suspended to a branch, which passed through a hole in the solid walls of the nest. Unfortunately, in its passage to England, it was broken and much damaged, but the fragments were collected and skillfully put together, and the nest restored to its original shape, with the ex-be seen by looking into the aperture. The ception of an aperture through which the interior may be seen. The material of which it is formed is mud, or clay, which is moulded by the insect until it has attained a wonderful tenacity and strength, and is rendered so plastic as to be worked nearly as neatly as the waxen bee-cell. It is of rather a large size, measuring about thirteen inches in length, by nine in width, and filled with combs. A large quantity of clay is worked around the chosen branch, and made very strong, in order to sustain the heavy weight which will be suspended from it. This clay foundation is very hard, though brittle. One of the most remarkable points in the construction of this nest is the entrance. In pensile nests the insect usually forms the opening below, so that it may be sheltered from the wind and rain. Moreover, it is usually of small dimensions, evidently in order to prevent the inroads of parasitic insects and other foes, and to give the sentinels a small gateway to defend. But the particular wasp which built this

The nest of the Pasteboard Wasp is suspended to a branch, which passes through a hole or ring, so large that the structure is permitted to swing freely in the wind. The dimensions of the nest are variable, each one appearing to be capable of unlimited enlargement. The mode by which the wasps increase the size of their pensile home is equally simple and efficacious. When the number of the inhabitants becomes so large that a fresh series of cells is required, the insects enlarge their home with perfect ease, and at the same time without destroying its symmetry, a point which is often forgotten when human architects undertake the enlargement of some fine old edifice. Taking the bottom of the nest as the starting-point, they