Chap. I. 



MASON WASP. 



41 



projecting object. One of these restless artificers once 

 began to build on the handle of a chest in the cabin of 

 my canoe, when we were stationary at a place for 

 several days. It was so intent on its work that it 

 allowed me to inspect the movements of its mouth 

 with a lens whilst it was laying on the mortar. Every 

 fresh pellet was brought in with a triumphant song, 

 which changed to a cheerful busy hum when it alighted 

 and began to work. The 

 little ball of moist clay was 

 laid on the edge of the cell, 

 and then spread out around 

 the circular rim by means 

 of the lower lip guided by 

 the mandibles. The insect 

 placed itself astride over the 

 rim to work, and, on finish- 

 ing each addition to the 

 structure, took a turn round, 

 patting the sides with its 

 feet inside and out before 

 flying off to gather a fresh 

 pellet. It worked only in sunny weather, and the 

 previous layer was sometimes not quite dry when the 

 new coating was added. The whole structure takes 

 about a week to complete. I left the place before the 

 gay little builder had quite finished her task : she did 

 not accompany the canoe, although we moved along the 

 bank of the river very slowly. On opening closed 

 nests of this species, which are common in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Mahica, I always found them to be stocked 



Pelopajus Wasp building nest. 



