34 NESTS AND HABITS OF AUSTRALIAN VESPID^ AND LAREIDiE. 



The nest is a neat but somewhat fragile structure, consisting of 

 about six chambers, 4 lines in width and 5 in length, separated 

 from each other by a thin partition ; the nest is elongate, con- 

 taining only one row of cells, the outer surface very much 

 granulated from the balls of mud not being smoothed down as 

 each is added to the structure ; the walls are so very thin that it 

 is almost impossible to remove the nest without its crumbling to 

 pieces. Each cell, after the egg is deposited, is stored with small 

 spiders, and when the larva has finished up the supply it spins a 

 stout silken cocoon. This wasp is remarkable for its reckless 

 habit of making its nest in any hole or cranny it comes across, 

 frequently coming into houses and making its cells in a keyhole, 

 empty rung hole in a chair, or any other aperture that takes its 

 fancy, which slipshod choice of a home often causes the untimely 

 destruction of its establishment. 



About two months ago, while waiting for a train at the Oatley 

 platform, I saw the stationmaster pull down a notice board, at 

 the back of which there was a grooved hollow, which had been 

 recently adapted by a Pison to form its nest ; it consisted of six 

 cells, from which I took forty torpid spiders. 



This species is found in Tasmania, Victoria, S. Australia, and 

 most parts of New South Wales. I am indebted to Miss King of 

 Homebush for several nests, from which I have bred specimens. 



