678 JO URN A L, BOMB A Y NA TURAL HISTOR Y SOCIETY, Vol. XV h 



description or to almost any convenient spot from its own point 

 of view. The nest is unenclosed in any envelope ; the hexagonal 



cells form an irre- 

 gular comb or mass 

 which is attached 

 by a stalk near 

 its centre, or more 

 correctly the nest is 

 constructed from a 

 central basal attach- 

 ment, the cells being 

 so placed that their 

 mouths look down- 

 ward s. Fig. 7 4 



FlG. 74.— Nest of Polistet hebraeus, with a wasp clinging shows a partially 

 to it. (Debra Dun.) (Original.) . . 



• ,u v • i '± formed nest ot this 



insect with a wasp clinging to it. 



Vespa velutina, the Indian hornet, builds nests of several feet in 

 length which are inhabited by a 

 very large number of individuals. 

 Fig. 72 shows a fine nest of this 

 species. The outer envelope is par- 

 tially removed to show the forma- 

 tion of the stories of the comb. 



The Indian hornet is very fierce 

 when roused and will follow its 



enemy for miles even through F]G 7 -__ Vespa orientalis CUnifced 



dense jungle. Its sting in the hot Provinces.) 



weather is dangerous and may have fatal results in a similar manner to 

 that of Apis dorsata. Vespa magnified, is the common wasp of the 

 Himalayas from Simla to Darjiling extending into the hills of Assam, 

 Burma and Tenasserim. Vespa orientalis, shown in Fig. 75, is to be 

 found in the Punjab and United Provinces. 



Fam. XII. Fossoria— Sand Wasps. 

 Smooth bodied Insects, often with long legs ; they are very like wasps, 

 from which they may be distinguished by having their antennre curled 

 instead of elbowed ; the front wings are not longitudinally folded. In 



