NATURAL HISTORY. 



[CH. VI. 



Nest of Vespa NidvJans. 



Fig. 1 gives a miniature representation of one of these curious re 

 ceptacles : the bottom has been torn oflT, so as to show one of the cakes 



Fig. 2 shows the internal arrangement of the combs, as well as the 

 centrical orifice perforating all of them, serving as a door of admissioa 

 to the little wasp. 



the whole bears a considerable resemblance to the 

 centre of the sunflower. The vertical position ap- 

 pears to be the best adapted to guard against rain ; 

 but as an additional security, the little architect 

 carefully covers its paper habitation with a varnish 

 msoluble in water; and thus protected, it can dis 

 pense with the precaution of concealing its nest. 



