50 



experience convinced us that the results so obtained were not coia- 

 mensurate with the amount of labour involved, and that a considerable 

 saving of both energy and temper would be effected, combmed with 

 an increase in output, if we confined our attentions to working more 

 thoroughly a small area. In the end the majority of our pictures 

 were obtained by taking the train to Brunig, and sauntering 

 leisurely back, sometimes by the upper-road, and sometimes by the 

 lower- road, to Meiringen. The Kiue qua nun of the working party 

 was of course the Photographer, but he was usually accompanied by 

 the Boy, whose duties consisted in carrying a good part of the 

 impedimenta, in finding the next "subject" while one was under 

 treatment, and in holding the umbrella or the sunshade over the 

 camera according to the weather. Frequently, also, they were 

 accompanied by a small, but very select, party of volunteer 

 assistants from the visitors at the Hotel, who rendered very 

 valuable aid in helping the Boy when he was inclined to be over- 

 worked, in maintaining a lively conversation at times when the 

 Photographer's patience was sorely tried by the recalcitrance of his 

 patients, and in spectating at all times. 



Both the roads mentioned above have a considerable number of 

 exposed rock faces and small quarries along them, and these 

 provided a variety of subjects for the camera. A large proportion of 

 them were, of course, out of reach of the camera, but among the 

 pictures obtained and exhibited on January 8th were the following: — 



Parnansins apollo, larva; Pararne iiurra, chrysalides; Diantlwcia 

 ciisia ; Mamestra dentina : Aooni/cta eiiphorbid : (jrlaiicujitenjx 

 tophaceata ; G. cindata : Gnophos (/laucinaria ; Vespa vorce(/ica, 

 nests ; I'olistes gallica, nest ; (.'irindela campestris, metamorphoses ; 

 Mijrmeleon forinicariuH, metamorphoses. 



The most interesting of these from the point of view of the series, 

 actually obtained in the field, were those of the two species of wasps 

 with their nests. It was too early in the season for the nests of 

 Vespa norvei/ica to have attained their full size, and they most often 

 contained but a single comb, hanging by its central stalk and 

 surrounded by the overlapping layers of the paper covering. Some 

 nests showed the commencement of a second tier, consisting of a 

 few cells only, and suspended by a central column from the middle 

 of the first tier. In these the first workers were already hatched, 

 and the brood could be observed in all stages, from the egg onwards. 

 These nests were usually suspended from overhanging ledges of 

 rock, but one was also discovered in a small heather bush. 



In contrast to these covered nests with the cells of the comb 

 vertical, mouth downwards, was the much commoner nest of 

 Polutes i/allica. This is attached by a single stalk, and stands 

 out horizontally from the rock face, the cells in the comb 

 being also horizontal. Very often the mother wasp would be found 

 .sitting quietly at the back of the nest, but if absent would not 

 be long in making her appearance, and would then run about 



