Hexagonal Cells by Bees and Wasps. 135 
and ductile quality. Let me now direct your attention to the 
nests of various species of social wasps. The first which I 
will mention is the nest of IJcaria guttalipennis; this is the 
nest to which I referred at a former meeting, as being figured in 
my Catalogue of the Vespide, and I incorrectly described it 
as being constructed of a single row of hexagonal cells; it con- 
sists of a double row, the number of cells being ten; I now direct 
your attention to the fact that all the cells are perfectly hexagonal, 
the exterior planes being as beautifully finished as those in contact 
with the inner planes of the opposing cells. I have placed a 
drawing of this nest (numbered 1) in the box on the table, and 
I particularly wish you to observe, that the first cell is carried 
up in a perfectly hexagonal form above the adjoining cells; a 
proof that, if wasps never build perfect isolated hexagonal cells, 
they certainly possess the capability of doing so. The exterior 
of all the cells, as I before observed, is hexagonal, not cylindri- 
cal until fresh cells are added on the outer side, as was observed 
to be the case in combs of the hive-bee by Mr. Tegetmeier. (See 
PIRI: fig. B.) 
I now invite observation to a nest, numbered 2, in the box of 
specimens; the portions exhibited are those of the exterior ofa 
nest of Nectarina Lecheguana. The nest of this wasp is of 
globular shape, and is sometimes not less than sixteen or eighteen 
inches in diameter; the foundation is a single comb, inclosed in 
a globular envelope; on this envelope the wasps commence series 
of cells on all sides; these cells are covered in patches by en- 
velopes,—the envelope always serving as the foundation of a 
fresh series of cells: a repetition of the above process, on all 
sides of the continually-increasing nest, results in structures such 
as I have described. Now you will observe, that all the cells 
constructed by these wasps are built upon the flat outer en- 
velopes, and if you examine the specimens exhibited, you will see, 
in some instances, the faintest ground-plan of the hexagonal cell 
intended to be raised, traced on the fiat foundation. 
No. 4 is a portion of a nest of Tatua morio, perhaps the 
most interesting specimen that I offer to your notice; one that 
proves, to my mind, the primary-intention of the wasp, instinc- 
tively to build cells with exactly six sides, Yatua morio is a 
pasteboard-maker ; she constructs a bell-shaped nest, the outer 
envelope being very strong and tough; this would appear to be the 
first portion constructed, and next the flat floors upon which the 
cells are built ; these floors are carried across the entire diameter 
of the nest, and attached to the outer envelope on all sides, each 
floor having a small circular opening left on one and the same 
