108 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



[CH. VI. 



Nest of Vespa Nidulans. 



Fig. 1 gives a miniature representation of one of these curious re 

 ceptacles : the bottom has been torn off, so as to show one of the cakes 



Fig: 2 shows the internal arrangement of the combs, as well as the 

 centrical orifice perforating all of them, serving as a door of admission 

 to the little wasp. 



the whole bears a considerable resemblance to the 

 centre of the sunflower. The vertical position ap- 

 pears to be the best adapted to guard against rain ; 

 but as an additional security, the little architect 

 carefully covers its paper habitation with a varnish 

 insoluble in water ; and thus protected, it can dis- 

 pense with the precaution of concealing its nest, 



