BY AV. W. FROGGATT. 31 



yellow, but the coloration is very variable, often shading into 

 bright yellow or brown ; the wings are small, orange-red, and 

 opaque. 



The nest is formed of a brown papery substance like that 

 produced by all of these " paper-nest wasps " from some wooden 

 surface exposed to the weather. I have often watched them on a 

 shingle roof obtaining a plentiful supply, which, mixed with their 

 saliva and dessicated, is formed into a fine waterproof brown 

 paper. The nest is commenced by a stalk or pedicle about a third 

 of an inch in length, at the apex of which is formed the first cell ; 

 two wasps generally commence the structure, and attach the first 

 eggs to the top of the cells as soon as they have three or four 

 completed. The larvse soon hatch out and hang head downwards, 

 being fed by their attendant nurses with spiders that they have 

 first masticated and reduced to a pulp. When full-grown the 

 young larvae si)in a silken cap over the aperture, and within a 

 very short time appear as full-grown wasps, and at once commence 

 to work at the nest, so that the colony increases rapidly when 

 once they begin to hatch out. 



The nests are always circular and often attain the size of an 

 ordinary saucer ; the cells are peaked at the top, but hexagonal 

 at the apex, about 10 lines deep and 3 lines in diameter; an 

 ordinary-sized nest three inches in diameter contains about 250 

 cells. This wasp is of a very domesticated disposition, being very 

 fond of building its nest under verandahs and the eaves of houses ; 

 but as they are very aggressive when disturbed they are not always 

 welcome additions to the household. 



It has a wide range over Australia, and is very common in 

 S. Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales. 



PoLiSTES FACiLis, Sauss., Mon. Guepes Sociales, p. 539. 



This wasp seems to take the place of the smaller species in the 

 south-western parts of New South Wales. I have found it very 

 common in the Yass district. 



Length 10 lines. Colour dull orange-yellow, with the vertex, 

 coxse, basal portion of the fore legs, and all the underside of head 



