XVlll 



same species, and at once went down another chimney but a few feet off, and which, 

 from its similarity to the earth and stones around, I only discovered by this means, a 

 Presently a louder whizzing noise, and swiftly came two more wasps together: one I 

 of these seemed frightened and flew off for a time, but the otlier made great sweeps to 

 and fro ; I observed the object aimed at, and quickly removed the little structure 

 before the builder in one of its curves came round again, — then, without hesitation, 

 pausing, or being puzzled, it went directly down the uncovered hole, I must say much 

 to my surprise. I likewise took the chimney of a fifth wasp (which came soon after- 

 wards), after it had gone below. These little buildings were all removed entire, but 

 easily broke afterwards, having no hold on anything and the sides being very thin ; 

 meantime the first seen wasp had emerged from its cell, as it now returned and went 

 below a second time. I did not observe that any of these (I concluded all to be 

 females) carried any caterpillars or other food to their young (if any) in these subter- 

 ranean dwellings, — perhaps the eggs were not laid or the young yet emerged : all 

 these five domiciles were within a few feet of each other, and full six feet from the last 

 was a sixth chimney, but the owner was not visible. These insects can, therefore, 

 hardly be called gregarious, but had (as in the case of the holes made by the females 

 of several of our MulillidaB) merely placed their dwellings thus contiguous, the situ- 

 ation being most suitable, and perhaps from a little desire for companionship: these 

 holes might also serve in future seasons for the young broods, and increase in 

 numbers." 



Papers read. 



The following papers were read : — 



" Notes on Eastern Butterflies" (continuation); by Mr, Alfred R. Wallace. 



" On the Australian Species of Tetracba;" by Mr. Edwin Brown. 



New Part of Transactions.' 



Part 3 of the " Transactions for 1869," containing the conclusion of Dr. Sharp's 

 Revision of the British Species of Homalota, published in June, was on the table. 



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