4;3(> TENANTS OF AN OLD FARM. 



upward as it hung from a strong l)ranch that was 

 quite wrapped around, and indeed had been somewhat 

 overlaid by the layers of paper which formed the 

 external envelope. At the bottom of the nest was a 

 round opening which formed the .only entrance to the 

 interior (Fig. 138). A second specimen, a little smaller, 

 I had cut quite in two by a longitudinal slit, thus ex- 

 posing the entire structure of the nest. 



" Here we may see the w^hole cunning workmanship 

 of this active insect. You observe that the outer walls 

 have been laid on in several layers or sections, more or 

 less regular, and are composed of a strong, coarse gray 

 paper. The partition walls are united at various 

 points, leaving a great number of oblong air-cham- 

 bers." (Fig. 139.) 



"Is the paper weather-proof?" asked Abby. 



" Try it," I said. A pitcher of water and a dish-pan 

 were brought, and alter various experiments it was 

 found that the water rolled freely from the roof, which 

 scarcely absorbed the moisture and left the interior 

 quite di'y. 



'•That is truly excellent," remarked Aunt Hannah. 

 " I wonder that some enterprising genius has not bor- 

 rowed a hint from the hornet and gone to building 

 paper houses." 



" And why not ?" said the Manufacturer. " "We are 

 utilizing paper more and more freely in the civilized 

 arts, and have got even as far as to make railway car- 

 wheels out of it ! Paper tiles or roofs, or even walls 

 may surely be considered a possibility." 



