488 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



the whole of the body is covered with a short ashen pile, which 

 makes it look in some lights as if it were grey instead of brown. 

 . - ,. w There is a slight reddish 



w tinge upon the head. 



In the British Museum 

 there are eight species, 

 all of which are African 

 with the exception of 

 one which comes from 

 India, and is accordingly 

 called Bclonogastcr ln- 

 dicus. They are all 

 dull coloured, the wings 

 and body being equally 

 brown. 

 The name Bclonogastcr 

 is constructed from two Greek words signifying " a pointed belly," 

 and is given to the insects because the abdomen terminates in 

 a sharp point. 



Via. 262. — Belonogaster junceus. 

 (IJrown, with ashen pile.) 



In general form the Mischocyttarus labiatus bears a close 

 resemblance to the preceding in- 

 sect, and is coloured in almost 

 exactly the same manner, being 

 brown covered with grey down. 

 It is a Brazilian insect. 



The reader will see that the. 

 structure of the nest is very 

 different from that of any nest 

 or cell which we have hitherto 

 seen. It is constructed of vege- 

 table fibre torn off and masti- 

 cated by the wasp, so as to form 

 a sort of coarse paper. In fact, 

 the wasps are the earliest paper- 

 makers in the world, and utilize 

 for that purpose a great variety A 



Of material, SO long as it be a Fiq. 263.— Mischocyttarus labiatus 



vegetable fibre. (Brown> with eny 1>ilc > 



This nest consists of three distinct portions. First there is 



