THE HAMMOCK. 



403 



of the Hammock, being woven from long vegetable fibres 

 intertwisted very much like the strings of the South American 

 Hammock. And as if to increase the resemblance, the bird, 

 whenever it can do so, will carry off hanks of cotton, linen, 

 thread, or pieces of string, and weave them into its nest. 



I have one of these nests, and, directly I saw it, was struck 

 with its exact similitude to the Hammock of human manu- 

 facture. 



There are many other birds in various parts of the world 



NEST OP PENSILE ORIOLE. 



especially in Australia, which make their nests on exactly the 

 same principle, though in slightly varied forms. 



Also, in the insect world, there are innumerable examples of 

 the natural Hammock, the most common of which is that made 

 by the caterpillars of the Tiger-moth, and in which it slings 

 itself while undergoing its changes from the chrysalis to the 

 perfect state. 



It is made of silken threads, interwoven so slightly that the 

 chrysalis can be seen through them, and so exactly like the 

 Hammock of the South American Indian that if a drawing 

 were made and enlarged, one might easily be taken for the 

 other. 



Now we come to the Mat Bed, which is so much used in the 

 warmer parts of the world, where the earth is dry, and the air 

 so warm that nothing is required but the slightest possible 

 protection from the soil. 



In inland places, such as Southern Africa, the bed is made 

 of long grass- stems laid side by side, and sewn together with a 



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