192 ROMANCE OF THE INSECT WORLD CHAP. 



upheld by the petioles that the aid of all pillars 

 or columns is dispensed with. The envelope is 

 a spindle of a single leaf of ligneous* paper, most 

 artistic in appearance, being marked with transverse 

 parallel tubings and goffered. The fibres of the 

 tissue are arranged with surprising regularity; all 

 the zones are united with consummate art, and meet 

 in a long and plainly shown line ; the paper may be 

 also variegated with longitudinal bands of different 

 colours. The vase is firmly affixed to its axis at 

 points slightly above and below the uppermost and 

 lowermost combs, at no part is it in continuity 

 with the combs, there is plenty of space between the 

 two fabrics for the wasps to pass up and down within 

 their home with ease. Taking advantage of the 

 wholly lateral* position of the combs with respect to 

 the axis, the wasps render their building less fragile 

 than it would otherwise have been by placing the 

 branch to one side of the spindle, and it saves time 

 and trouble, without materially impairing the sup- 

 port, to leave the wood exposed at the posterior 

 surface of the papery mass. The opening is small and 

 situated at the lower end (see Fig. 32). 



The pensile nest of Tatua morio bears great external 

 resemblance to the ^pendulous cone-shaped nest of 

 Chartergus chartarius, and is common in the same 

 country. Two remarkably good specimens may be 

 seen in our national collection. The outer walls are 

 of a solid and durable paper, which is likewise thick, 

 hard, smooth, and of a dark brown. Storms, however 

 fierce, have little ill-effect on homes so well protected. 

 Hardly less thick and strong are the various cell-floors, 



