/ 



506 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



A vespiary somewhat similar to the above, but of a 

 depressed globular figure, and composed of more nu- 

 merous envelopes, so as to assume a considerable re- 

 semblance to a half-expanded Provence rose, is figured 

 by Reaumur * : and for a very beautiful specimen appa- 

 rently of the same kind (except that it contains but one 

 stage of cells), which was found in the garden at East- 

 Dale, I am indebted to the kindness of Henry Thomp- 

 son, esq. of Hull. 



Another species {Odynerus Parietum^'i) attaches its 

 small group of about twenty inverted crucible-like cells 

 to a piece of wood without any covering '^. 



But all these yield in point of singularity of structure 

 to the habitation of Polistcs nidulans, a native of Cay- 

 enne, which constructs its nest of a beautifully polished 

 white and solid pasteboard, impenetrable by the wea- 

 ther. These are in shape somewhat like a bell, often a 

 foot and a half long, and fixed by their upper end to the 

 branch of a tree from which they are securely suspend- 

 ed. Their interior is composed of numerous concave 

 horizontal combs, with the openings of the cells turned 

 downwards, fastened to th« sides without any pillars, 

 and having a hole through each to admit of access to the 

 uppermost '*. 



I CLOSE my account of the habitations of insects with 

 the description of those constructed by the white ants or 

 Termites, a tribe alluded to in former letters. 



The different species, which are numerous, build 

 nests of very various forms. Some ( T. atrox and mor~ 



= vi. t. 19. f. i. 2. '■ Rcisel Vesp. t. 7. f. 8. 



'■■ Rosel II. viii. 30. ■' Reaum. vi. 2)24. 



