280 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



starting-point, they build upon it a series of cells, taking care to 

 add another row or two to the circumference, so as to increase 

 the diameter in proportion to the length. They then add fresh 

 material to the outer wall, which is lengthened so as to include 

 the new tier of cells, and then the bottom is closed with a new 

 floor, which in its turn will become the ceiling of the next tier of 

 cells. 



Chartergus Nidulans. 



These nests are therefore permanent ; unlike the habitations of 

 the common British wasps, which are only used for a single sea- 

 son and then deserted, the few surviving females seeking their 

 winter quarters elsewhere, and always choosing some fresh spot 

 for the nucleus of a fresh colony. On the average, a well-sized 

 nest of the Chartergus is about one foot in -length and of propor- 

 tionate width, a few being found of larger dimensions, and many 

 of smaller. Now and then a positive giant of a nest is discovered, 

 where the colony has not only been undisturbed, but surround- 

 ing circumstances have been favorable to its continued increase. 

 The name Chartergus is derived from two Greek words, signify- 

 ing paper-maker. 



One of the largest, if not the very largest of these pasteboard 

 nests that has yet been discovered, was found in Ceylon, attached 

 to the inside of a huge palm-leaf, and was of the astonishing 

 length of six feet. Now, to form an idea of a nest six feet in 



