64 



IXSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



placed in contact like the layers of a piece of pasteboard, 

 but with small intei-^^als or open spaces between, appear- 

 ing somewhat like a grotto built with bivalve shells, 

 particularly when looked at on the outside. This is pro- 

 bably caused b}^ the insect working in a curvilineal manner. 

 Having finished the ceiling, she next begins to build the 

 first terrace of her city, which, under its protection, she 

 suspends horizontally, and not, like the combs in a bee-hive, 

 in a pei-pendicular position. The suspension of which we 

 speak is also light and elegant, compared with the more 



Section of the Social- Wasp's Xest. 



a a, the external wall; b, c c, five small terraces of cells for the neuter wasps; 

 d d, e e, three rows of larger cells for the males and females. 



heavj^ union of the hive-bees' combs. It is, in fact, a hang- 

 ing floor, immoveably secured by rods of similar materials 

 with the roof, but rather stronger. From twelve to thirty 

 of these rods, about an inch or less in length, and a quarter 

 of an inch in diameter, are constructed for the suspension 

 of the terrace. They are elegant in form, being made 



