ARCHITECTURE. 209 
of tiers of comb; the nature of the material pre- 
scribes very narrow limits within which the number 
of heavy wet combs, hanging from one another, can 
be safely multiplied; even were there wasps enough 
to extend the fabric, or did the season allow them 
to prolong their operations, indefinitely. 
Then, as to the duration. The history of even the 
most long-lived swarm of wasps extends only over 
a few weeks. The end comes very speedily as well 
as surely, whatever the cause; and the story of the 
decay of the nest, whose growth we have traced, 
may be told in a few lines. Thus:—No additions 
are made to the structure, the repairs are neglected, 
the loose ends are not neatly cut off and fastened 
down. A few idle wasps hang about; but the nest 
seems almost deserted. Perhaps a shake of the 
hedge will bring out a few fussy wasps for a minute, 
or a sunny afternoon will develop signs of life in the 
remains of the swarm, yet their strength is gone. 
A cold night or two, a few damp cold days, and all 
is over. Now, the collector may take his prize 
safely; and he must be quick about it, for, if he 
delays, the rain and wind will soon destroy whatever 
of this curious structure the moths, and wood-lice, 
and earwigs have spared. These, and other insects 
abhorred of all naturalists who have collections, are 
now its occupants. 
Lucifugis congesta cubilia blattis.* 
The little creatures who made it and held it against 
all comers have succumbed to cold, and disease, and 
old age, like other brave soldiers. They have skulked 
* Virg. ‘Georg.’ IV, 244. 
P 
